Podcasts, Projects

ISBW #514: Goals for long-term career

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:50 — 39.7MB)

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So I tried hard to get a better format, and screw it up immediately by saying it’s episode 513. Sigh.

We talk about the music of Devo Spice, who gives permission for my before- and after- stream music, and I very clumsily recommend his song Spider Verses. See the video below!

Speaking of music, I also talk about Loser by Garfunkel & Oates. This version edits the F-bombs.

About goals- remember that you want to make goals you can keep under your control. “Want to write the next Star Wars novel,” not under your control. “Want to write a book by end of year,” yes. “Sign with dream agent,” can’t control, but “research and query many agents,” yes. I bring up 24 Hour Plays, where I queried to see if they’d like a writer (under my control), and never heard anything back (not under my control.) I did everything I could, so I’m happy with that.

I’m supporting Duke Children’s Hospital through Extra Life! If you want to help support, check out that graphic below!

My Twitch schedule:
Mondays: 12:30 AMA
Tuesdays: 12:30 Live ISBW
Thursdays: 12:30 Live ISBW*
8:00 pm Gaming*
Sundays: 2pm Gaming

*out of town August 27-29, no streaming.

Podcasts, Projects

ISBW #513: Emotions vs Reality

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:25 — 33.7MB)

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Sometimes the strong emotion you feel, like depression over rejections or imposter syndrome, can be overwhelming, but do your emotions actually reflect the world’s reality?
This episode originally ran on I Should Be Writing’s fifteenth birthday! Whoo hoo!
I continue to be live on Twitch.tv, Tuesdays and Thursdays! 12:30pm EDT. 
Podcasts, Projects

ISBW #512: Also, the Hugos were AWESOME

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:42 — 30.2MB)

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I was such a grouch about the Hugos that I took the spotlight away from the nominees and winners, who deserved it more than ever after the disastrous award ceremony. I talk about some here, and please check out the winners and nominees I didn’t get to!
I continue to be live on Twitch.tv, Tuesdays and Thursdays! 12:30pm EDT.
Podcasts, Projects

ISBW #511: Characters are Hard, Editors are Awesome

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:26 — 34.5MB)

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I continue to stream live on Twitch.tv, Tuesdays and Thursdays! 12:30pm EDT.
I talk about how to get your brain around writing different characters, and the fact that Editors are indeed awesome.
Podcasts, Projects

Ditch Diggers #102: That Darn Hugo

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:44 — 41.4MB)

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The Hugo thing happened. So we talked about it.

  • Mur and Matt come to you live from the hermetically sealed Hugo Award storage chamber in Ditch Diggers Manor (because Hugos get dirty).
  • AITA because I had a good day?
  • Mur discusses her new adventures in Twitch and Crowdcast live-streaming, including ascending above the level of “YOU ARE NOTHING!” on Twitch.
  • Matt is still a YouTuber (technically).
  • Mur makes Matt think about his own death and Matt accuses Mur of trying to make people date the Grand Canyon (sort of).
  • The inevitable Hugo Awards Ceremony debacle discussion ensues, including a summary of what happened at the 2020 ceremony.
  • The disconnect between the amazing writers and creators who won Hugo Awards (and their eloquent and relevant speeches) and the time machine from which the majority of the presenters stepped out.
  • The infamous Balloon Guy Story (that does not involve kink shaming).
  • Q&A! A listener asks Matt about his upcoming novels and the issue of appropriation when it comes to writing the Other. Also, questions about Substack and Medium.
  • The traditional end-of-episode shilling (and Matt denounces Spotify).

Mentioned in this episode…

Podcasts, Projects

Ditch Diggers #101: Live Savage Legion launch!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:18:15 — 55.1MB)

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Matt and Mur had a virtual book launch for Savage Legion last week. Gotta adapt in a pandemic, y’all.

  • Matt and Mur come to you from Matt’s online launch party for his debut epic novel, SAVAGE LEGION, recorded on Crowdcast in front of a live chat audience on July 20th, 2020!
  • Matt and Mur are drinking, or at least Matt is (Mur forgot her booze). Ditch Diggers merch is briefly discussed.
  • The difference between a Citroën and citronella.
  • Doing a live video Crowdcast in front of a crowd is very different from recording an audio podcast.
  • Matt actually talks about SAVAGE LEGION (Mur’s copy of which must have gotten lost in the mail) a little bit, including the production of the book itself, and his reaction to receiving his copies of it.
  • Matt and Mur tell old convention stories, including drunken flights and playing Funny Friends (and Mur’s daughter, Fiona, makes one of several special appearances).
  • Matt fields questions from chat and talks about writing such a long (for him) novel, and the time it took on spec versus the time it takes when you’re under contract with a publisher deadline.
  • Mur and Matt discuss the process of Ditch Diggers, recording podcasts in general, and the key to the longevity of the show (spoiler: it’s not preparation).
  • Matt wants to create an 80’s-themed podcast.
  • Star Wars dubbed in German, and a severe and aggressive German Han Solo.
  • Mur discusses her recent binge/love of gay romcoms, her desire to write one, and everyone discusses straight authors writing gay characters.
  • Mur’s daughter comes out as professionally gay.
  • Matt answers more questions about SAVAGE LEGION, including drinking while writing, and discussing his epic fantasy influences, good and bad.
  • Night falls and it is time to end the party, but not before shilling SAVAGE LEGION one final time.

Mentioned in this episode…

Podcasts, Projects

Ditch Diggers #100: HURLEY RETURNS

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:06:34 — 40.7MB)

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  • Matt and Mur come to you live for the monumental 100th episode of the Ditch Diggers podcast, with special guest, and one of their favorites, author Kameron Hurley!
  • Ditch Diggers’ history with problematic celebrity mascots and why they finally ended the bit is briefly discussed.
  • Things are terrible, but Hurley rightly points out all three of the people in this podcast episode have a lot to be happy about, and those things are covered, including Hurley’s Hugo nomination for Best Novel for THE LIGHT BRIGADE!
  • What did Nero actually play on the fiddle while Rome burned, and was it “Freebird?”
  • Hurley, prompted by Matt, discusses the epic years-long process of turning the barren lot on which resides her home into an amazing woodland that is often mistaken for a public park.
  • The inevitable topic of doing business and getting business done during the pandemic is finally discussed at length.
  • The discussion suddenly degenerates into explaining Animal Crossing to Matt, including the economics of turnips, hamsters in suits of armor and their love lives, hosting TV-style talk shows on your island, and the housing market and economics of home ownership in Stardew Valley.
  • Mur tries to come up with an innovative way to create media in/using Animal Crossing and/or online gaming, and becomes very irate at Matt and Kameron’s lack of ability to come up with something for her, despite them both offering wisdom (which is different from advice).
  • Episode 100 Q&A! What are the Ditch Diggers drinking and what is everyone’s favorite cocktail? Also, what’s the best career lesson/advice everyone has learned from something that was said to them that wasn’t meant/presented as career advice.
  • Final plugs for Matt’s debut epic fantasy novel SAVAGE LEGION (including Mur and Kameron schooling Matt on his poor marketing skills) and Matt and Mur’s shared birthday.

Mentioned in this episode…

Podcasts, Projects

ISBW #508: Feedback, Live on Twitch

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:39 — 25.8MB)

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Trying Twitch.tv again, things going better this time. If you want to catch the stream, check out my twitch channel at 12:30, Tues-Fri!

(I also play Stardew Valley on Thursday nights.)

But here we talk feedback and stuff. I talk about how writers evolve and how we may not be able to go back to older work. I also nearly give myself a complex. But I’m OK.