Hyba is Writing

What have I accomplished as a writer this year? Listen to find out! Or check out my blog post here.

If you haven't grabbed your free copy of Scrittorio Magazine, find it here. You can learn more about it in Season 3 Episode 8.

If you want to know more about Scareuary 2024, see my blog post here or listen to Season 3 Episode 6.

Find my on IG (hybaiswriting), Twitter (HybaIsWriting), Tumblr (hyba), and my author blog (hybaiswriting.blogspot.com).

Remember, it's Scareuary! For the whole month of January, I'll be working on writing scary short stories - and you can, too. Check out more about Scareuary on my blog here.

You're all probably getting tired of these scary stories! There's only one more creepy one for now - I promise! And then we can take a little break from all the found-cassette horror. What say you?

Find me on...

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IG: @hybaiswriting

Twitter/X: @HybaIsWriting

Find me on Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Grab the 2022 Reflection & Productivity Journal here for $2.00! Try out a full-month sample free here!

Check out my psychological thriller Apartment. Add it to your TBR on Goodreads!

Looking for a writing prompt workbook? Check out 101 Writing Prompts.

Learn more about The Pirates of Sissa over on my blog (hybaiswriting.blogspot.com).

Find me on Tumblr (@hyba), Twitter (@HybaIsWriting), Instagram (@hybaiswriting), and Pinterest (hybaiswriting).

Have you checked out my psychological thriller, Apartment? Grab a copy of the ebook here! (payhip.com/HybaIsWriting)

It's a new year, and we're all revved up for our new year's resolutions and goals! Why not grab a digital reflection and productivity journal to help you keep motivated? You can find it here for just $2.00! (payhip.com/HybaIsWriting)

In which I talk about the creepiest monsters to be found in my high fantasy novel-in-progress, The Pirates of Sissa. The kahlaqrab is a scary beast to come upon in the middle of the Black Desert, and with good reason. Learn more about it in this episode!

You can read my short story "The Legend of the Five Thousand Shells" over on my blog (hybaiswriting.blogspot.com).

If you have any questions, requests, suggestions, or just want to say hello, you can find me over on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Pinterest. 

Transcript Excerpt:

"This creature was first inspired by the sandwalker, which is a cryptid that apparently originates in Arabian mythology, though I haven't personally heard of any such creature in my lifetime, nor has anyone I've been able to ask about this sandwalker. I do wonder where the source material for this creature comes from. Nevertheless, it was a cool fantasy creature, if somewhat terrifying, and I knew from the start that I wanted to do something with it. You'll actually notice that a lot of the creatures that I mention in my fantasy novels are going to come from legendary or mythological creatures, usually from Arabian or Islamic stories. It's one of the ways that I would like to represent my culture in my writing. So, I decided to adapt the sandwalker for my book by using it as a basis for the creation of the monsters called 'kahlaqrabs' in my fantasy world.

The sources I found online about sandwalkers was very limited, and mostly referred to one entry in a book that I've never seen. All I had to go with was what it apparently looks like and what it eats. But that led me down a rabbit-hole in my mind. I found myself considering whether the myth might have originated from the sighting of a fossil left over from the Cretaceous period, where I believe that area was submerged underwater, if I've done my research right. I conducted a little bit of research online and found some prehistoric creatures I had no idea existed - creatures whose fossilized remains might actually give someone cause to think there was some kind of giant shelled monster roaming the desert - and they most definitely gave me some cool ideas for the kahlaqrabs in my book!

I also considered that the desert has a lot of scorpions, and they're nasty creatures that you really need to look out for when you're out there, so it also stands to reason that many desert-travelers would be terrified of the idea of giant scorpion-like creatures. This, too, might have given rise to the idea of the sandwalker as more of a scary tale rather than anything else.

From there, I took things several steps further and got into the nitty gritty details of how the monsters in my book, the kahlaqrabs, are born, how they live, what they eat, how they hunt, how they look, and so much more, making my final kahlaqrab concept very different, in my opinion, and very unique when compared to what was available online about this sandwalker creature. I really enjoyed figuring out their behaviour as animals, their reproductive processes, their habits and routines, and so on and so forth. It's actually a lot of fun to compile all of this different information that you can find online about a variety of real-world creatures and use them to imagine something else completely..." 

See full transcript on my blog.

In which I talk about my fantasy creature, the sorranid, native to the Black Desert - and try very hard not to think about what it tastes like. This creature is featured in The Pirates of Sissa, my high fantasy novel. If you haven't already, check out episode 3 to get some quick facts about the Black Desert.

If you'd like to get a free copy of my ebook Apartment, please consider filling out this survey and helping a student researcher out. You can opt in for a free copy at the end of the survey!

You can connect with me on my social media: Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter.

You can buy a copy of my psychological suspense novella Apartment over here, and you can get a copy of my digital workbook, 101 Writing Prompts, over here.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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In which I chat with you about one of the main settings in my book, The Pirates of Sissa, called the Black Desert. Learn about its climate, geography, creatures that live there, and some of its history and role in the Sissan-Qorsan conflict. 

To learn more about The Pirates of Sissa, click here. Learn more about the series here. To read the short story, The Legend of the Five-Thousand Shells, visit my website. Finally, go on a trip to the Black Desert in this episode of the podcast (anchor link)! For those not listening on Anchor, it's Episode 14 of the first season.

To check out my eerie suspense novella Apartment and grab yourself a cool summer read, click here.

To get a copy of my 101 Writing Prompts digital workbook and take your creativity to the next level, click here.

And, finally, connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr. 

Until next time, friends!

**Announcement** I am giving away FREE copies of my eerie suspense novella Apartment. All you have to do is help me out with some academic research and fill out this survey on enhanced ebooks. Enjoy the newest addition to your summer reading list!

Welcome back! It's been a while, and I have a pretty big update about The Pirates of Sissa to share with you. Not only am I planning a total rewrite, I've also used the flashcard plotting system for the first time ever! In this episode, I focus on how I've gone about plotting my novel using flashcards, so that you can get an idea for how it works as well. 

Next time, I plan to share an episode jam-packed with some cool fantasy worldbuilding, so stay tuned for that! I also have plans for an episode discussing common mistakes I have encountered in reading a variety of series, and how to best approach creating and writing a series, among some other insights that might come in handy for other authors out there. In the meantime, you can learn more about my fantasy novels and other works via my website and blog. 

Got some free time this summer? Check out my debut novella Apartment for a delectably suspenseful read. You can also purchase my digital writer's workbook, 101 Writing Prompts, to unleash your creativity!

Connect with me via Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr.

Until next time!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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In which a cat won't leave me alone as I try very hard to focus on the task at hand, which is to talk about The Pirates of Sissa and what has changed since last I introduced it in Season 1. I think I stayed on-track for the most part, despite being attacked by this fierce beast.

Leave comments, questions, or suggestions for me at my social media - Twitter, IG, Tumblr - or my blog. You can also subscribe to my newsletter to keep updated on what's going on, when this book is going to get published, and read some exclusive excerpts from my books that I won't be sharing elsewhere.

Until next time!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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Spring is a season of rebirth and rejuvenation, and this podcast has been brought back to life! After a few months' break following the end of Season 1, Hyba Is Writing: The Podcast is back with an all-new Season 2! This season, I'm going to be focusing on discussing my high fantasy book in progress, The Pirates of Sissa. It's a story that follows two people on opposite sides of a decades-long violent conflict who are forced to work together to ensure the success of an unexpected peace offer. 

The Pirates of Sissa is one of the books in my fantasy series, The Qarran Tales. You can learn more about it on my blog.

Check out Apartment, my recently-released eerie suspense and magical realism novella. It follows three neighbours that grow increasingly suspicious of one another. Tensions come to a head when their apartment building comes under attack, and they are catapulted into an absurd reality that forces them to face the sins of their past.

Make sure to follow me over on Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr to keep up with my latest updates and never miss a new episode.

Thanks for tuning in today! It's great to be back, and I have a lot of cool content in store for you this season. Until next time!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

Alright, so this is a couple of months late. Maybe a few. Talk about procrastination!

In this episode, which is the last episode of Season 1, I discuss what I learned in 2020 about procrastination and how I can manage it best. Remember: when trying to find out how to stop yourself from procrastinating or how to minimize how much procrastination you do, it's important to keep in mind that it's got to be tailored to your personal needs. For my part, here is the solution that I was able to come up with to stop procrastinating (or, at the very least, manage it so that it isn't entirely impossible to work with). 

This episode was recorded and edited on December 25, 2020. Let's just say, my procrastination management solution isn't entirely perfect. But hey, what is? Moving into 2021, I'm hoping to find even more effective ways to manage my procrastination. 

I hope you enjoy this episode! Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter to get subscriber-exclusive updates and goodies in your inbox once a month. You can also connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, or by just saying hello over on my blog.

Until Season 2, my friends!

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TRANSCRIPT EXCERPT:

"I recently learned that there are different kinds of procrastinators. There are those that procrastinate because they think they work better with that last-minute pressure. There are those that are essentially workaholics who feel bad when they aren't doing anything, which makes them think that they're being lazy and procrastinating. There are those who like to give themselves a schedule and calendar jam-packed with things to do, so that they can procrastinate safely with the excuse that they just have so much to do and cannot work on that thing that they're avoiding! And there are those who like to procrastinate by looking for new things to do, like starting new projects. I think I've experienced some form of all of these, but the one I relate with the most is the last type of procrastinator.

Now, I have mentioned before that I'm juggling dozens of projects. I'm not exaggerating; this is very, very true! I have about 36 projects that are in the works, last time I counted them all up. One of the reasons for this is that Shiny Object Syndrome - I procrastinate on one project by working on or starting another. For a very long time, I jumped from one to the other and just worked on whichever one I felt like working on - and sometimes made new story ideas when I didn't feel like working on any of the projects I already had.

But last summer I decided to put my foot down and work out some solution to this, and my solution was very simple."

Read the full transcript over at my blog.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

If you have comments, suggestions, questions - find me on Instagram, Twitter, my blog. You can also subscribe to my newsletter to keep updated with my works and news.

Thanks for tuning in for this episode! Next episode - our last episode of the season (and the year!) - I'll be talking about procrastination and how I've learned to deal with that tricky little devil.

Until next time!

TRANSCRIPT EXCERPT:

"As authors, our productivity is often measured through the number of  words we write. If you haven't written anything, you haven't been  productive. But that's not altogether true. If you've thought about new  plot points, if you've discussed your story with someone, if you jotted  down some ideas - any of that falls under writing productivity. I wanted  to get that out of the way because I'm actually interested in this  episode in talking about the lessons I've learned this year about the  specific ways in which we perceive productivity levels - our own and  other people's - and how that perception doesn't always have to align  with the reality in order for us to be productive.

I'll start by  saying that by being online we are exposed to a number of figures that  seem to us so productive we can't help but wonder how in the world  they've gotten to that stage. For example, I used to follow a blogger  who made new art almost every other day and who has a range of books and  always new excerpts to share, and who on top of that managed an online  writing community and held down a full-time job and volunteered and so  much more! I also followed another author who completed a book every 2  months. My mind was boggled. I remember thinking: How is it even humanly  and physically possible that they're so productive? And why can't I be  that productive? What am I missing?

For a while I thought I was  simply missing the discipline and the dedication. To be fair, I do think  I can work on my self-discipline, but this year, after writing and  posting over 80 blog posts and recording and uploading over 24 podcast  episodes (among other things), I realized that it wasn't just about  that. Instead, I've realized that it's about timing and intention. Let  me break down what I mean by those two things."

Read the rest of the transcript over on my blog.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

In which I discuss the issue of instant gratification for authors using social media and sharing their writing online. 

If you have comments, questions, or requests, find me in Instagram, Twitter, and my blog. Subscribe to my newsletter to keep updated and get subscriber exclusives! 

Apartment, my debut novella, comes out January 5, 2021. Why not grab yourself a copy of the ebook when it comes out?

Thanks for tuning in. Until next time!

TRANSCRIPT EXCERPT:

Writing like this is unhealthy - and it slows you down. Instant gratification from social media is nice, but that's really all it is. In fact, the more I learn about social media, the more I realize that all social media platforms need to be approached with discipline and a plan. I've also realized that you can't stick around on some social media platforms forever, depending on the community and culture on those platforms. Sometimes, you simply need to be elsewhere in order to continue growing, and you need to be able to recognize that and plan for it.

What I started to realize was that I didn’t write for myself anymore. I wasn't internally motivated anymore, and all my reward and validation came from external sources rather than what I originally felt, which was that internal drive to keep going and that internal happiness that stemmed from writing something I was proud of. Instead, I wrote and made content for people to instantly enjoy and that was my reward. And that creates a bit of a vicious cycle. Not only did social media start to pull me away from my writing, but it also switched my focus into writing for that specific audience that I had at the time. And while that's nice, it wasn't my original plan, and still isn't my plan right now. That's why this year, I've made a lot of social media changes.

So, that's the first lesson that I learned this year. Just: Be able to write without instant gratification or reward from external sources. You can give yourself your own reward system, like celebrating finishing a chapter or finishing a book, but don't make it so that you need external validation to feel good about your writing. And don't get so immersed in social media that you forget why you started writing in the first place.

Since toning down my social media presence, I've started to get back into writing for myself, to make myself happy with what I write, and it's healthier and easier to write in this way. That doesn't mean my audience isn't in my mind when I write - far from it! It just means that I'm not going to be influenced by or exposed to this vicious cycle of instant gratification anymore, and that I've decided that I refuse to be chained to social media all day, every day. In other words, I've started to value my time and my efforts more than I did before, and that has made it clear to me that I need to prioritize and know pursue my actual goals.

Read the rest of the transcript here.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

In which I discuss the elephant I am currently trying to eat, as well as possible future elephants I may want to eat. 

To learn more about why I'm self-publishing Apartment, check out my blog post here.

You can find me via Twitter, IG, Tumblr, and my blog.

Disclaimer: I am not an expert on self-publishing or traditional publishing! I'm merely speaking based on the little experience I have and am currently having, as well as what I've learned from my months and months of research online.

Thanks for tuning in!

TRANSCRIPT EXCERPT:

Personally, I lean more towards self-publishing for various reasons. In fact, I actually wrote a blog post about why I'm self-publishing Apartment, which I'll link in the episode details. Most importantly, I get to keep total control of how my books are presented, advertised, marketed, where they're published, how much they cost, and so on and so forth. That's really important to me. Having that control will allow me much more flexibility as well, since there are a lot of decisions that aren't up to you if you go with a traditional publisher. For example, the book cover is probably in large part going to be a result of marketing research on what kinds of covers are most popular in a particular genre and for a particular audience. Where the book is sold - in which bookstores, for example - is also up to your traditional publisher, as well as how much it costs.

But self-publishing is a monumental task, and over the years I've realized that it's a full-time job, no doubt about it. You're in charge or everything with self-publishing, and the tasks really seem to add up into this mountain of things that need doing, and it is intimidating. These days, I won't lie - I have really been feeling that colossal amount of work! But we'll keep this episode more theoretical, because I'm planning on making another episode in the future, after the launch of Apartment, discussing my experience in more detail and lessons learned.

So, let's just talk about self-publishing in general and what it takes. Here are just some of the steps that I've learned about, and I'm going to list them all but I'm sure it's not an exhaustive list, and I'm also sure that depending on the choices an author makes, some of these things could potentially be ignored.

Of course, you have to write the story. Then you'll need to edit it - and it's up to you whether you'll be hiring a professional editor to do that or if you'd rather self-edit. If you'd like to give it a test run with beta readers to get feedback, then that's an entire process that you have to put in place - a process that can include non-disclosure agreements and forms and meeting with beta readers to discuss their thoughts and a variety of other things. But so far, it sounds pretty manageable, right?

When you're set with your book and the writing part is done and you've got yourself something you can publish, there are even more things to consider. First and foremost, you've got to made a decision: are you going to be selling via established marketplaces like Amazon and use its KDP publishing, or are you going to lone wolf it - as in, sell your books directly on your website?

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

In which I share my thoughts on E. Nesbit's The Railway Children, a classic that I've had in my bookshelf for ages and that I decided to read recently.

Leave your thoughts, comments, and Qs over at my blog, my Twitter, my Tumblr, or by simply contacting me!

To be updated of news concerning my stories and books - especially upcoming 2021 launch of my eerie suspense novella Apartment - subscribe to my newsletter!

Thanks for tuning in! Until next time.

TRANSCRIPT EXCERPT:

"...And while I really feel the children steal the show with this book - and, after all, it mainly follows their adventures - there are so many adult characters in this book that are extremely well-written as well. The number one prize goes to the children's Mother, though, because this was a character that really got into my heart.

She starts off being this wonderful, playful mom who writes them funny poems and short stories and is always there for them, and when they go through a rough patch in the family and have to move houses and change their lifestyles, she has such an air of positivity about her that is just extremely inspiring and endearing. She's always putting on a happy and peaceful and kind face around her children, even when you know she's sad and tired and working hard. And it really highlights the things that mothers do for us on the daily, how hard they work, how much they want good for us, and how much they're willing to sacrifice in order for their children to get the things they need and want.

Oh, and then there's Perks, the porter in the train station, who isn't exactly the most mature of adults, but I quite liked his character, too. He grows on you the more you read about him, and when the children do something wonderful for him on his birthday - that chapters was just especially lovely. There's another chapter before that where he seems to be angry with the children about something, sitting there reading a newspaper and answering them in these sort of gruff, brief responses, and Phyllis gets so frustrated that she takes away his newspaper and climbs up on him and gives him a hug and tells him "Oh, let's kiss and be friends. We'll say we're sorry first, if you like, but we really didn't know that you didn't know." And I just found that so adorable and innocent and endearing!

From a literary perspective, I also loved the settings, especially the train station that the kids spend so much time at and around. It's especially interesting to me because it seems like train stations are places where you are only temporarily - not places where most people stay, if you know what I mean. We're only ever really passing through. In one way, it makes it seem like the family - the kids and their mother - are stuck in a place, watching the rest of the world go by. But it also gives this understanding that the situation that the family is going through - that rough patch - is really only temporary, and I quite liked that..."

Read the full transcript over at my blog! It should be there soon - I've been working hard to share all the transcripts of all the episodes leading up to this one, and preferably in order.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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In which I introduce my eerie suspense novella, Apartment, again, after a long hiatus. It's scheduled to launch in 2021, so keep an eye out for more info! Leave me your comments, thoughts, and Qs at my blog, my Twitter, my IG, or my Tumblr.

TRANSCRIPT EXCERPT:

"...So, essentially the story started out as pure suspense. That's all I  wanted with this book - a deep, suffocating, lingering feeling of  suspense that never quite gets satisfied. As I worked on it more and  more, I realized that I could do much more with a book like this, and I  took a very literary route. I added layers upon layers to this book,  with message after message and theme after theme, and sprinkled it with  symbolism galore. There's a lot of peel back with this book, and if you  read the book at face-value without really taking the time to mull it  over and dig a little deeper, you might find it a completely absurd read  - which, to be fair, it is!

The story's main genres are suspense,  magical realism, and psychological drama. There's some surrealism in  there, but I place that in magical realism. If you don't know what  magical realism is, you might be interested in checking out the works of  Gabrial Garcia Marquez - I strongly recommend Chronicle of a Death  Foretold, which does lend some inspiration to some parts of this book -  and to those of Haruki Murakami - especially his book, After Dark, which  also inspired me greatly as I wrote this book. Magical realism, to put  it briefly, is when magical or extraordinary things happen in books but  they're treated as normal happenings. For example, a painting could  start talking to a character, and the book would never mention how  strange that was, or treat it as anything out of the ordinary at all!  It's a really interesting story mechanic, and I had a lot of fun working  with it in Apartment.

The book also pays homage to a lot of  other works - including Chronicle of a Death Foretold and After Dark.  For example, it gives a nod to The Exterminating Angel, a film by Luis  Bunuel that makes use of a particularly surrealist form of huis clos.

As  for psychological drama, this is where the book can get a bit  suffocating. It throws you right into the deep end with its narration,  telling the story from the perspectives of each of the three main  characters - and their minds are not always the best places to be! It  also takes the perspectives of a few other characters throughout the  story, and in some places takes on a mysterious perspective that seems  to be that of the narrator, or perhaps the apartment building itself.  Sometimes, the narration and internal thought processes of the  characters almost bleed together, making it difficult to identify what  is being shared by who, exactly...."

You can read the full transcript over at my blog! It should be out soon - I've been trying my best to catch up with all the transcripts of the episodes leading up to this one.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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In which I discuss unemployment, employment, and job-seeking in Qarra, the continent that serves as the setting for my high fantasy series. In particular, I focus on 3 different settings, Bevatria, Sissa, and Vakkar, and how the job search happens in each of these places. 

Leave me your thoughts, comments, and questions at my blog, or drop by my Twitter, Tumblr, or IG. If you'd like to get regular updates - and by regular, I mean twice a month - as well as exclusive content, sign up for my newsletter. Don't miss out on those free goodies!

Thanks for tuning in, folks! Until next time!

TRANSCRIPT EXCERPT:

"...These days, concerns over unemployment are pretty front and center, especially among people of my own generation who are entering the workforce, and those of younger generations that are still in high school but can see that getting a job is going to be especially tough. Today, I wanted to discuss how unemployment - and employment - works in different parts of Qarra. In particular, I want to go ahead and talk about how it works in Belvatria, Sissa, and Vakkar - in that order. So let's start with Belvatria.

The Belvatrian employment system works quite simply and efficiently. Usually, and at its most basic, one inherits a trade from one of their parents. In the case of both parents having different trades, they can choose which to pursue. Now, if they don't want to pursue either of those trades, or if one perhaps fails at pursuing those trades, they can opt to seek another trade.

They can do this by going to different shops, organizations, factories, or businesses, and asking around to see if they are willing to take on an apprentice. This is tiring work. For those of you who have gone through the job search before, you know that you can get rejected by dozens before you land a job. And we've got the internet! So you can imagine how difficult it can be for a person having to go on foot to various locations every day to try their luck..."

You can read the full transcript on my blog. It should be out soon - I've been working very hard to release the transcripts for all the episodes leading up to this one.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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It's International Men's Day! The theme this year is "Better Health for Men and Boys". To help raise awareness, I made a special episode featuring the achievements of one of the fictional men in my high fantasy series, Qays, and introducing you to some real-life great men from the Golden Age of Islam that influenced his character! 

How are you celebrating this special day? Did you learn something new today?

Leave me your thoughts, comments, and suggestions at my blog, via my website, or on my Twitter, IG, or Tumblr. Hope to hear from you soon!

TRANSCRIPT EXCERPT:

"It is the 19th episode and it is November 19th, 2020, and I do not think this is a coincidence to take lightly because today is also International Men's Day! In honor of this lovely day, I'm baking something special for the wonderful men in my life as a small thank you for everything they have done for me, and I'm recording this episode featuring one of the men in my fantasy series, Qays! For those of you who don't know yet, Qays is one of the main characters in my book, The Fall of the Black Masks. He is Mila's father - Mila is another protagonist - and the man responsible for saving Ragnar - who is the third and final protagonist of that book.

Some of you might not know this - I certainly didn't until today when I looked up what this day specifically celebrates - but International Men's Day is a time when we focus on the contributions of men in six areas of life: nation, society, community, marriage, family, and childcare. The theme for this year is "Better Health for Men and Boys". If you haven't already searched it up and learned more today about not only men's contributions but also the challenges to their health, today is a good day to do that.

The reason that I chose Qays for this day is because I feel he embodies a good male figure and role model. He isn't perfect - none of us are - and he has made his own mistakes in the past. But Qays is an important character to me nonetheless, and I wanted to share a bit more about him with you today, especially as it concerns his contributions to the society, community, and nation of Belvatria, and his contributions to his family and daughter, Mila. So let's talk about Qays!"

"...You might listen to all of this and roll your eyes and think, Sure, he can do that because he's a fictional character and he's perfect! He's got plot armor! He's not realistic! But there have been many people like Qays throughout the annals of history, many of whom have influenced the character concept of Qays tremendously.

I might point you to the well-known Muslim physician, Ibn Sina, whose works were revolutionary at the time of the Golden Age of Islam. He is known today as the father of early modern medicine, but he wasn't only a physician - he was a philosopher, a writer, an astronomer, a mathematician, a chemist, and so much more.

Or I might point you to Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi al-Ansari, another Muslim physician who was considered as the best surgeon in the Middle Ages and whose works would go on to influence the medical field for almost five-hundred years..."

Read the full transcript at my blog. It should be up soon - I'm working very hard to release all the transcripts for all the episodes leading up to this one.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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In which we continue our journey through Qarra by beginning our journey through Ramadi. This time, you make it to a karvansaray, eat your fill, and rest your weary head. 

I've been experimenting with some original audio effects, so let me know what you think of them!

As always, you can leave your comments, thoughts, Qs, and requests for me via Twitter, my blog, or Tumblr. You can also subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date with the latest news on my projects.

Hey, did you know that you can find a bunch of free short stories (fantasy & other genres) and special content on my website? Check it out here!

Until next time, friends!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

In which I discuss the size of armies and fleet according to Cleopatra's biography for worldbuilding reasons. 

The biography in question is Cleopatra: A Life From Beginning to End by Hourly History. Give it a read and let me know your thoughts!

Leave me your thoughts, comments, questions, or requests via my Tumblr, Twitter, or subscribe to my mailing list! Subscribers get access to exclusive content, such as behind-the-scenes peeks at my works in progress and other fun projects!

Thanks for tuning in, friends, and until next time!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

In which I discuss the importance of taking some time to yourself and curbing workaholic tendencies - or, at least, trying to.

The weather's getting a bit windy these days, so recording has been happening indoors, but I hope to be back outside soon and keep my eyes peeled for that rare moment of calm. 

Leave me your thoughts, comments, questions, or requests via my Tumblr, Twitter, or subscribe to my mailing list!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

In which I read you a bedtime story, only it's not really the kind of story you'd read someone at bedtime. 

The Legend of the Sleeping Massacre is a short story you can read on my website in PDF, ePUB, and MOBI formats. Check it out there if you want to read along or read it separately! 

If you enjoy it, please leave me your thoughts via my Tumblr, Twitter, or by subscribing to my mailing list!

Thanks for tuning in!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

In which I take you on a walk through one of the main settings in The Pirates of Sissa, the Black Desert. It is a treacherous journey, but you'll make it, even if barely. 

This is the first part in a planned series of walks through all of the settings of my fantasy world. If you're a fan of fantasy worlds and worldbuilding, I think you'll love the JTQ podcast segment. If you enjoy it, please leave me your thoughts via my Tumblr, Twitter, or by subscribing to my mailing list!

Thanks for tuning in!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

Hi, everyone! It's been a while! Welcome back to Hyba is Writing. This episode is a mini-update, letting you all know what I've been up to during my time away. More episodes coming up soon as I try to figure out a new upload schedule, but rest assured that I am not giving up on this podcast.

Leave me your thoughts, comments, Qs, or suggestions via my Tumblr, Twitter, or IG. Subscribe to my mailing list - I promise I only send emails when it's something actually important, like freebies or book launches. 

Thanks for tuning in, and until next time!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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In which I discuss my word count challenge to myself for the month of September, why I generally don't do well with daily word count targets, and the reasons behind this challenge. Inside again, as I will be for the next bunch of episodes until the weather decides to chill out.

Leave me your thoughts, suggestions, questions, and requests on my Tumblr, my Twitter, or my brand-new Instagram!

If you'd like to support me, please consider joining my mailing list. You'll get an email from me once in a blue moon when something big happens.

Thanks for tuning in! Until next time!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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In which I discuss a certain side project that involves video games. Not recorded outside this time around - and all episodes will be recorded inside until the weather decides to chill out a bit. 

Let me know your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and requests via my Tumblr or my Twitter. 

Until next time!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

In which I discuss the real-world influences present in Belvatrian architecture. The Empire of Belvatria is the main setting for the first book in my fantasy series: The Fall of the Black Masks. Recorded the same night as the previous episode, but I think I make more sense this time.

Links to the mosques I mentioned (Wikipedia): Adina Mosque in India / Quba Mosque in Medina / Hassan II Mosque in Morocco / Khanqah Mosque in India. I highly suggest doing a Google Image search to see a range of pictures, though, since some of the images on Wikipedia are a bit small/unclear.

Leave me your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and Qs on my Tumblr or via my Twitter.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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In which I attempt to broach the complex topic of writing as an extension of thought at 3 in the morning, and hope that I'm at least coherent. 

Leave me your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and questions at my Tumblr or via my Twitter. Thanks for tuning in! See you next time!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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In which I discuss projects I have shelved over the years - including my eerie suspense novella Apartment and my murder mystery Marie/Elise - and recall the reasons why I decided to put those projects on hold. Have you ever shelved a project, writing or otherwise? 

Let me know your experiences by leaving me an ask on Tumblr or via my Twitter! You can also send in a voice message via Anchor, linked below. If you're feeling up to it, why not join my mailing list? I promise I'm silent most of the time - I only ever contact my subscribers when something big happens. 

This episode was recorded inside because the sky decided to play some music. Then it rained. It was a good night. 

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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In which I do a very brief analysis of "Brittle Teeth" -- but really, most of the time, I just talk about teeth and what they mean. What do they MEAN?! 

Please excuse the audio quality. It got pretty windy somewhere in the midst of the episode. My silent guest today was a very cute, very silent cat. 

Leave me your thoughts, comments, questions, and suggestions via my Tumblr ask box or my Twitter. You can also join my mailing list to keep updated on big news. 

Thanks for listening! Until next time!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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In which I finish reading my short horror story, Brittle Teeth! If you notice any cicadas in the background, please ignore them - the more attention you give them, the more they monologue. Drama queens. 

You can read along at my website or on my Tumblr.  Let me know what you thought about this story by dropping by my Tumblr ask box or through my Twitter! 

Leave me Qs/comments for the next episode, where I'll be discussing this short story in some detail and talking about the content as well as what it all means. You can also leave me a voice message via Anchor. Thanks for listening, and until next time! 

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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In which I read the first half of my short horror story, "Brittle Teeth", in the middle of the night. You can follow along via Tumblr, Prolitfic, or my website. You can also learn about narcissistic personality disorder, which my story's main character does NOT represent, at the Mayo Clinic's website here. 

If you enjoy eerie stories with a touch of psychological horror, you'll probably like this short story!

Part Two coming in the next episode, so stay tuned! Let me know your thoughts by dropping by my ask box on Tumblr or via Twitter.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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In which I chat a bit about my fun and not-so-serious science fiction side project, Neon Vape: A Vaporwave Odyssey. Rudely interrupted by a sheep and a cat climbing onto my lap. Everybody wants to be a star.

This is the last of my currently active projects that I will be sharing, and from here on out, I'll be discussing a range of topics.

Drop me your thoughts/comments/questions/suggestions (or requests) over at my ask box on Tumblr, or via my Twitter. You can also join my mailing list on my website. Also, as mentioned in this episode, here's my Pinterest.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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In which I introduce my standalone horror novel, An Entity In Your Midst. If you like creepy stories that make use of folklore and urban legends, you'll enjoy this book! Recorded over the endless monologue of a cicada. 

You can leave me comments/suggestions/thoughts/questions via my Twitter or my Tumblr. You can also learn more about my works on my website. 

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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In which I introduce the second installment in my fantasy series, The Qarran Tales. This second book, The Pirates of Sissa, is all about the extent of the politics of empire as portrayed through the lives of individuals. It's a lot more fun than it sounds! 

Leave me your thoughts/comments/questions/suggestions through my Tumblr (hyba.tumblr.com) or via my Twitter (@HybaIsWriting). You can also join my mailing list on my website. 

Thanks for listening!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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In which I very briefly introduce the first installation in my high fantasy series. Find out more about The Fall of the Black Masks on my website. You can also find out more and contact me via my Tumblr, hyba.tumblr.com, and my Twitter, @HybaIsWriting. You cal also join my mailing list on my website.

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks for listening!

In the next episode, I'll be introducing The Pirates of Sissa. See you then!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Every now and then, I host a sale, or give my books away for FREE! Until July 15, 2021, you can grab free copy of Apartment by filling out this survey on enhanced ebooks to help me out with some academic research.

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This short 5-min episode is a brief introduction to the podcast. Get to know a bit about me and the podcast, as well as where else to find me online. The main places are my Twitter (@HybaIsWriting) and my Tumblr (hyba.tumblr.com). You can also join my mailing list at my website. Thanks for listening, and have an awesome day!