Writing Fright

Following genre expectations is key to connecting with readers. But how do you stand out? How do you create something new inside of established structures. In today's episode I talk shop with internationally published author and writing processor Andrew Najberg.

Andrew Najberg is the author of the novel The Mobius Door (Wicked House Publications, 2023) and the forthcoming novels Gollitok (Cactus Moon Press, 2023) and The Neverborn Thief (Olive-Ridley Press, 2024), as well as the collection of poems The Goats Have Taken Over the Barracks (Finishing Line Press, 2021). His short fiction has appeared in Prose Online, Psychopomp Review, Bookends Review, The Colored Lens, Utopia Science Fiction, The Gateway Review, Dark Death Things, Creepy Podcast, and is forthcoming in Fusion Fragment, Translunar Travelers Lounge, and the Gods And Globes III anthology. Currently, he teaches for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and is serving as a senior editor for Symposeum magazine.

Connect with Andrew at:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndrewNajberg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndrewNajbergAuthor

Website: https://andrewnajberg.com/

Purchase The Mobius Door at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTB8Y58P?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_7DZAYSTQ6HM5D95TE1TR

Connect with the show at: http://writingfright.com

on FB and IG @writingfright

Twitch @writingfright

Follow Tanner's Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088502118566

Last episode, I talked about my top 5 resources for horror writers. This week, I'm deep diving Plottr and going through exactly how it's made my process easier and faster.

Email the show at writingfright@gmail.com

FB and IG @writingfright

TikTok @writingfrightpod

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Writing is hard. For the vast majority of us starting out, it takes months or years to complete a piece of long form content. It takes time to plan a story, and it doesn’t matter if you are a plotter or discovery writer. (Our first drafts just look different)

The steps are pretty must the same. We see where the story goes and end with a first draft or detailed outline. Then, we revise and draft a coherent story.

It can be difficult to stay on track. So why not streamline your individual process and leverage some tech to stay organized and on track?

This is the stack I use to start and complete my projects:

Goal setting/Project planning:

• Monday - https://monday.com

• Plottr - https://plottr.com

Writing the damn book

• Scrivener - https://www.literatureandlatte.com/

• Pro Writing Aid - https://prowritingaid.com/

Marketing

• Canva - https://www.canva.com

Email the show@writingfright@gmail.com

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Over the past several months, I struggled with my identity as a writer and keeping my cozy mystery on track even though it has several horror elements and a definite creepy factor. You guys voiced your opinions on the direction of the show and I have to agree. Let’s keep this show indie and horror. Writing Fright is back. This show is a resource for all writers, but I really want to focus the details on the darker side of fiction... and nonfiction.

This week, I talk about what could have been a major set back, and how these 3 things helped me stay on track to finish my latest book.

Follows us on FB IG Twitch and YouTube @killerprosepodcast

Email the show at killerpenbooks@gmail.com

Edward Morris joins us to discuss his new book Alphabet of Lighting. We talk about starting out as a professional writer, building relationships with other authors, finding your voice, and so much more. Edward shared some amazing advice and lessons he's earned along the way.

You can find his book Alphabet of Lighting at:

Barns & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/alphabet-of-lightning-edward-morris/1142007521

At Broken Eye Books: https://www.brokeneyebooks.com/news/alphabet-of-lightning-by-edward-morris#/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Alphabet-Lightning-There-Was-Crooked/dp/194037264X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3UQF2KAWUZES2&keywords=alphabet+of+lightning&qid=1676591135&sprefix=alphabet+of+lighting%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-1

Connect with the Podcast on FB, IG, Twitch, Slasher, and YouTube @killerprosepodcast

So much has changed, including the name of the show. Writing Fright is now The Killer Prose Podcast. We'll be diving deeper into the Thriller Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, and Suspense -  as well as, horror. In today's episode, I spend the first 15 minutes talking about my goals for 2023, including my production schedule, habits, and wordcounts. In the second half, I dive into how I'm plotting these next three novels and brining on an editor for my extended outlines.

Email the show killerprosepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on FB IG Twitch and Youtube @killerprosepodcast

We all need help, especially as we grow as writers. But, what is mentorship and how do we find those people and resources that change our worlds?

Tame that wild story! I wanted to write a book but ended up with a tangle of plots and sub plots. What helped? Learning and prioritizing story beats to write to genre. John Truby's book Anatomy of Genres was an amazing help. I discovered him on Joanna Penn's podcast The Creative Pen.

Choosing my route to becoming and professional author was one of the hardest decisions I had to make. Later in on the episode, I talk about why I chose indie publishing and what that actually means.

You can find Anatomy of Genres at:  https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Genres-Story-Forms-Explain-ebook/dp/B09NK6VGT8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OBHV3BQYCTCQ&keywords=anatomy+of+genres&qid=1671120341&sprefix=anatomy+of+genre%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-1

The Creative Penn: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/

Email the show at writingfright@gmal.com

Follow on FB IG Twitch and Slasher @writingfright

There's no denying it. Distractions are distracting, but that doesn't have to slow you down. Here's how, and why, I write with background noise and no longer lock the door when I write.

email the show writingfright@gmail.com

Follow me on FB, IG, Slasher, and Twitch @writingfight

Check out Holly's Writing Classes @ hollyswritingclasses.com and listen to Alone In a Room With Invisible People

Are you having trouble connecting to a story? Do the characters seem weak and the story just falls flat? Here's what happened to my first few attempts at the Haint and what I learned about how Theme Guilds everything in the story.

Follow the show on FB, IG, Slasher, and Twitch @writingfright

email the show @writingfright

On this episode I talk about some of the things I'm thankful for as they pertain to my writing. I also update my Holiday Gift List for writers.

Holly's Writing Classes:  https://www.hollyswritingclasses.com/

Pro Writing Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/

Follow us on FB, IG, Twtich, and Discord @writingfright

email the show writingfright@gmail.com

I thought it would be a waist of time, but the truth is this really helped to dial in my story and show me what was missing. Doing an extended outline (to start off or in the revision process) is a fantastic way to get on track. Listen for details.

Email your comments and questions to writingfright@gmail.com

Follow us on FB, IG Twitch, and Discord @writingfright

Join the live writing sessions every Sunday on Facebook and Twitch

It's no secret, the economy is in a down swing. And, 2023 is projected to get worse, but with that comes some amazing opportunity for writers and content creators.

Follow us on FB, IG, Twitch, Discord and Slasher @writingfright

email the show writingfright@gmail.com

As a new writer, how do you tell if your story should be shared, when it needs more work, or when its time to burry it and move on? This is my experience with it. And, yes I have a trunk book or two that will never see the light of day... Koala with a Pocket Knife. 

Horror Writers! The first draft is done. Now, the real work begins. There's a stack of 200 plus pages, messed up plots, and mid manuscript cast changes - you need to tame this wild best of a "book." It's easy to get overwhelmed in this stage. Here's a quick trick I leaned to stay organized and keep my subsequent drafts on point. 

Email the show writingfright@gmail.com Connect with us on FB, IG, Twitch, and Discord @writingfright. Make sure to follow the FB page to be in the loop with upcoming live writing event and have access to excusive writer resources and services.   

Worried about how to find an editor. In today's episode, I go over how to find an editor, recap were I've been for the pas few months, and talk about why having the right editor is important.

connect with me on FI, IG, Twitch, and Discord @writingfright

Email me at writingfright@gmail.com

Author and podcast Host RM Galardo joins us to talk about creating her world, her novel Sister, and why revision is so important. You can finder her work on amazon, follow her on Instagram @rmgalardo, and email her at rebecca@rebeccagalardo.com 

Check out her podcasts YOU Killed the Priest and Alone in a Room with Invisible People on all major podcatching apps.

If you're looking for a killer class on revision check out https://hollyswritingclasses.com/shop/how-to-revise-your-novel

As always, you can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, and Discord @writingfright and email the show at writingfright@gmail.com 

L.C. Valentine is the author of The Last Girls Standing and the Prequel Novella The Last Girls Standing: The Beginning. Both are available on Amazon. L.C. sits down with us today to discuss publishing with an indie press, slashers, and writing form different viewpoints. You can Follow L.C. Valentine on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/LCValentineAuthor and on Terror Tract Publishing's website https://terrortract.net/l-c-valentine/. 

Follow the me @writingfright on all major social media platforms, Twitch, Discord, and Slasher: the social media network for horror buffs. Email the show at writingfright@gmail.com

David Sodergren is the author of six novels including Maggie's Grave and Night Shoot. David has been publishing his works under his Paperbacks and Pugs imprint. He joins us today to talk about being an indie author, publishing his works, co-authoring with Steve Stred, and indie horror in general. You can find his works on https://www.amazon.com/David-Sodergren/e/B07H1MB4MT?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3&qid=1631387468&sr=8-3, https://paperbacksandpugs.wordpress.com/ find him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/paperbacksandpugs/

This week was a turning point in my WIP. We've all heard the advice, don't revise in first draft. This is why!

Email the show at writingfright@gmail.com

On this Episode of Writing Fright Tanner reviews his favorite resources for new and experienced horror writers. Together these places, classes, and books will answer many of the questions new writers have when it comes to both the technical and business sides of writing.  

Udemy classes

So you Want to Be A Horror Writer - https://www.udemy.com/course/so-you-want-to-be-a-horror-writer/

Foundations of Fiction Writing - https://www.udemy.com/course/the-foundations-of-fiction-writing-mastery/

Touch Typing Mastery - https://www.udemy.com/course/learning-to-touch-type/

Sell Your Book To a Major Publisher - https://www.udemy.com/course/writing-mastery-sell-your-novel-to-a-major-publisher/

Novel Writing Workshop - https://www.udemy.com/course/novelwriting/

Y Writer - http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter5.html

Scrivener - https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview

The Horror Writer Association -  http://horror.org/

On Writing Horror from the Horror Writer Association - https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Horror-Handbook-Writers-Association-dp-1582974209/dp/1582974209/ref=mt_other?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1600127117

Markets

Horror Tree

Dark Markets - https://www.darkmarkets.com/

Horror Tree - https://horrortree.com/

Email Me at writingfright@gmail.com

This week Tanner talks about the ways he's found to make more time for writing while having more financial stability and balancing everyday life.

Send your questions,  progress, brags, and word counts to Email the show at writingfright@gmail.com 

Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

Welcome to Writing Fright with Tanner Rutledge. On the first episode, we get to know the host, learn what you can expect on the podcast, and briefly talk about planning a novel.