Encouragement from Discouragement

by | Feb 21, 2018 | Podcast

NOVEL SPOTLIGHT (Aaron): The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien This is another staple in my English classes. I first read it while at Antioch and fell in love with it. In his collection of short stories (that some argue is more of a non-linear, non-chronological...

Reading Like a Writer

by | Feb 7, 2018 | Podcast

NOVEL SPOTLIGHT (Pops): The Taking, by Dean Koontz, 2004, Bantam Books, 448 pages in original release. When I think of books by Dean Koontz several titles float to the surface of my mind: Strangers, Sole Survivor, Odd Thomas, One Door Away from Heaven, and Lightning....

Developing Discipline–The Habit of Art

by | Jan 24, 2018 | Podcast

Novel Spotlight (Molly Jo): Heart’s Song by Aaron Gansky and Kaye Morrison Developing Discipline–Mental Steps to Establishing Habit We started this year of FiF podcasts by focusing on the writer’s mind and way of thinking. Last week we chatted about the “Writer’s...

The Writer’s Mind–What Kind of Writer Are You?

by | Jan 10, 2018 | Podcast

NOVEL SPOTLIGHT: Slaughterhouse Five (Aaron’s Pick) This is one of my favorite novels of all time. I’m not sure exactly how many times I’ve read it, but it’s up there. I use it in the AP class I teach each year. There’s a lot of really good things to say about...

Ask the Author Extravaganza!

by | Dec 13, 2017 | Podcast

Firsts in Fiction Year-End Ask the Author Extravaganza! Hey all! Welcome back! In honor of our final episode this year, we’ve chosen to do an “Ask the Author” extravaganza encompassing each of the remaining “Ask the Author” questions from this year. In addition, we’ll...

Genre Focus: Action/Adventure

by | Nov 29, 2017 | Podcast

Thanks to bensound.com for the intro and outro music. ASK THE AUTHOR: How do you fictionalize a real place without offending anyone? Especially if it’s the best setting for your story? How do you make the town, city, or whatever your own? AARON: If you’re...