Podcast Episodes

How to Write Strong, Effective Openings

Season 5 Episode 13

Hannah and Jess talk about what makes a strong opening, what detracts from a good opening, and they both bring different genre examples to examine to…

2 months, 1 week ago

View Episode

The Journey to Debut Author with Michelle Maryk

Season 5 Episode 12

Guest author Michelle Maryk shares the keys to her writing journey, what she's learned from her improv background that helps her as a writer, and sha…

2 months, 2 weeks ago

View Episode

Writing Beautiful and Effective Prose

Season 5 Episode 11

Jess and Hannah talk about the purpose of prose, its pitfalls, how to develop your prose style, and Jess shares some literary examples of solid prose…

2 months, 3 weeks ago

View Episode

How to Write Strong Character Arcs

Season 5 Episode 10

Hannah and Jess discuss the different (main) types of character arcs, why they matter, how to apply them, and how they can be useful for your seconda…

2 months, 4 weeks ago

View Episode

Making Setting a Character with Leigh Shalloway

Season 5 Episode 9

Jess and Hannah interview new author, Leigh Shalloway, on her Hilltown series debut. She shares important insights and valuable advice on resilience …

3 months ago

View Episode

Q&A Episode

Season 5 Episode 8

In this installment of The Fiction Lounge Q&A, Hannah and Jess answer another round of questions ranging from the necessity of editing to what inspir…

3 months, 2 weeks ago

View Episode

Villains and Antagonists

Season 5 Episode 7

Hannah and Jess explore villains and antagonists: the different types, the genre expectations for villains, and how to effectively build a villain yo…

3 months, 3 weeks ago

View Episode

Guest Interview with Molly Donlan

Season 5 Episode 6

With special guest and reiki teacher Molly Donlan, Hannah and Jess dive into the magic of creativity and how it can be fostered through ritual, while…

3 months, 4 weeks ago

View Episode

Character Relationships

Season 5 Episode 5

Hannah and Jess spend some time sharing their friendship lore, provide practical writing exercises that contributed to their writing wins of the week…

4 months ago

View Episode

Guest Interview with Jennifer van der Kleut

Season 5 Episode 4

Hannah and Jess interview debut author Jennifer van der Kleut about her upcoming debut novel, The Better Mother, available February 10.

Jennifer van d…

4 months, 1 week ago

View Episode