Tropes can be useful building blocks of storytelling. They’re familiar patterns that help audiences quickly understand the parts of a story. In this episode, Russ and Tim explore why tropes aren’t inherently bad, how they support story structure, and what actually counts as a trope. From character types to plot beats. The key isn’t avoiding tropes, but using them in smart, fresh ways.
Backstory 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 REPLAY episode from 2024, Russ and Tim discuss backstory, how Read more
Have you ever read a book and thought the end wasn’t particularly satisfying? Well, you’re not alone! In this REPLAY episode, Russ and Tim explore common Act III pitfalls, why they can make your final Read more
When self-publishing there are many decisions to be made. The biggest is how you’ll publish and distribute your novel. In this episode Russ & Tim chat about the Pros and Cons of publishing exclusively with Read more