Posts Tagged ‘Character Development’

I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Careful What You Pack

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“All I can do is what I can do right now.”

Blue logo for I Should Be Writing with Season 22 and delighted Mur illustrationISBW 22.1

First episode of the year, and we talk about the things we may not want to take along with us into the new year. New books, new shows (Patreon-only Evil Mur podcast called STET!), and all that other stuff.
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(This post went live for supporters on January 12, 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

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You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn.
Get archives of the show via Patreon.
January 6, 2025 | ISBW 22.1 | murverse.com
“Careful What You Pack” by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
In case it wasn’t clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull

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“You want to preserve your experience of the work.
You want to preserve the doing of the art.”
~Cadwell Turnbull

Amazing author Cadwell Turnbull joins us to dives deep into the creative process and discuss his latest book, A Ruin Great and Free. We talk about his writing journey, trilogy challenges, and approaching social issues in his books.

Blue logo to join the Fabulists via Patreon(This post went live for supporters on November 24, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

 

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“The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull” is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon!
Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
November 24, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 22 | murverse.com
“The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull” by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
In case it wasn’t clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] From Idea to Ink: Tim Chawaga on Crafting Salvagia (plus Bully #6- The Party!)

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[Worldcon] was my first convention where I went to panels, gave a reading, and had a big party. It made my sweet little book feel like the huge thing it is in my heart and mind. -Tim Chawaga
S21 Ep18

In this episode, we welcome Tim Chawaga, author of Salvagia, as we dive into the depths of his near-future science fiction mystery set in a flooded Florida. Tim shares the inspiration behind his book, where a freelance Salvagia diver uncovers a dead body while searching for valuable artifacts from the past.

We explore the blending of genres in Salvagia, from climate fiction to humor, and discuss the delicate balance between plot and world-building in writing. Tim reflects on his debut at Worldcon, the challenges of imposter syndrome, and the importance of building connections within the writing community.

Blue logo to join the Fabulists via Patreon(This post went live for supporters on October 16, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or get my newsletter via Ghost!)

 

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Cover of Salvagia with green ocean and red sky

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“From Idea to Ink: Tim Chawaga on Crafting Salvagia” is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.

October 16, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 18 | murverse.com
“From Idea to Ink: Tim Chawaga on Crafting Salvagia” by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

In case it wasn’t clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.

I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Dancing Through Genres with S.A. Barnes and Bully 3, The SPONGE

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“Get [your book] all the way to the end. You learn so much that way that you will not learn in any other way.”- S.A. Barnes

(This post went live for supporters on May 23, 2025. Join the Fabulists or support my newsletter at Ghost if you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes!)

In this episode, we talk about the creative process with guest author S.A. Barnes. We discuss her latest release, Cold Eternity, a space horror novel, and her upcoming work, Death’s Daughter, set to release in May, 2026.

Stacey shares her journey of balancing writing with her teaching career and we discuss the trial of writing sequels and crafting compelling narratives. We explore the nuances of genre blending, the emotional stakes in horror, and the importance of getting to the end of a draft, no matter how messy it may be.

Join us as we also discuss Bully #3, the Sponge, who only wants your house to be clean and then it will let you write.

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illustration of a sentient green sponge that looks kind of confused.Links

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“Dancing Through Genres with S.A. Barnes and Bully 3, The SPONGE” is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.

May 20, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 9 | murverse.com
“Dancing Through Genres with S.A. Barnes and Bully 3, The SPONGE” by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

In case it wasn’t clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.

I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Conquering Creative Bully #1: BART (a potato)

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“The bully loves pantsers because it can insult your outline.”
-Mur Lafferty

(This post went live for supporters on April 23, 2025. Join the Fabulists or support my newsletter at Ghost if you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes!)

NOTE- I had a microphone glitch near the end, which is why it ends abruptly. Apologies.

In this episode, we launch our series on the bullies that live in your head, rent free. This week we talk about my original bully, Bart (a potato). He’s ugly and mean as a snake, but I do have some ways to deal with him.

We also touch on the recent Hugo nominations, my reading habits, and the exciting upcoming adaptation of Martha Wells’ Murderbot series!

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“Conquering Creative Bully #1: BART (a potato)” is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.

April 10, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 7 | murverse.com
“Conquering Creative Bully #1: BART (a potato)” by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

In case it wasn’t clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.

I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Crafting Tales Through Holiday Themes

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New 2025 logo, tiny Mur on pink/orange background with purple circle saying I should Be Writing.

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S21 Ep5: Crafting Tales Through Holiday Themes

“Engaging with the holidays definitely feels like a way to develop world and character.”
-Mur Lafferty

(This post went live for supporters on March 24, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this episode, I dive into the significance of holidays in storytelling and how they can shape character development and plot progression. With no guest this week, I talk about my own projects, creative work and admin work both.

I cover Christmas romances that evoke themes of rebirth to the complexities of Valentine’s Day, and discuss how different holidays can influence narratives.

Quote in front of xmas tree, "think of something happening that you don't actually believe could happen."Transcript

Links

Evergreen Links

In case it wasn’t clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
—

“Crafting Tales Through Holiday Themes” is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
February 13, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 5 | murverse.com
“Crafting Tales Through Holiday Themes” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Spreadsheets, Ghosts, and the Art of Outlining with James L. Sutter

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S20 Ep20: In Which Mur and James L. Sutter Discuss Editing, Outlining, and Ghostly Romances

“I think that is the beating heart of any novel, is characters changing.”– James L. Sutter

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on July 4, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

Join Mur and guest James L. Sutter as they delve into the intricacies of the writing process, from the importance of meticulous outlining to the challenges of editing. They discuss James’s new book, The Ghost of Us, a queer YA supernatural romance that combines ghost hunting with a heartfelt coming-of-age story. They also share valuable tips on maintaining consistency and dealing with feedback, all while keeping the creative spark alive.

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“Spreadsheets, Ghosts, and the Art of Outlining with James L. Sutter” is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
July 22, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 20 | murverse.com
“Spreadsheets, Ghosts, and the Art of Outlining with James L. Sutter”  by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Navigating Novel Noodling and New Ideas

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S20 Ep17: In Which Mur Reflects on Creativity and Ambition

“It’s really easy. It’s so relaxing to not be creative.”– Mur

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on June 24, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

This week, Mur shares her journey through book edits, the struggles of low energy, and the comforting realization that creation is often less comforting than consumption. Mur explores the myriad of creative opportunities available today—from writing novels to making music videos—and the emotional weight that comes with each creative endeavor.

She also touches on her admiration for hybrid creators like Ursula Vernon and the spontaneous creativity of the band, The Garages. Mur reflects on her past as a sports journalist and how it shaped her writing, offering insights into finding the right angle for storytelling. Whether you’re struggling with a boring main character or the challenges of prequels, Mur provides thoughtful advice and personal anecdotes to help you navigate your creative journey.

Links:

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“Navigating Novel Noodling and New Ideas” is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
July 1, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 17 | murverse.com
“Navigating Novel Noodling and New Ideas” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Riding the Revision Rollercoaster

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Riding the Revision Rollercoaster - season 20 episode 11

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S20 Ep.12: In Which Mur Plans to Turn Hurt Feelings into Finished Drafts

Transcript

 

“I read over the notes and I got mad and I got my feelings hurt.” – Mur (being fussy)

I’ve received my edit letter about Infinite Archive, so I’m handling all the emotions that carries with it, which call the revision rollercoaster.  ADHD complicated my perception of time, so figuring out how long it will take me is a challenge.

via GIPHY

Valerie Valdes joins the chat with some excellent advice, like adding extra time to your deadlines to account for the unexpected. Then we touch on the basic concept of “someone comes to town, someone leaves down” (also a Cory Doctorow book title.)

We also touch on the concept of love triangles in fiction, sparking a conversation about the trope’s effectiveness and its alternatives.

Other links for Ep 12:

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“Riding the Revision Rollercoaster” is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, site design by Clockpunk Studio
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
April 15, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 12 | murverse.com
“The Revision Rollercoaster – From Hurt Feelings to Finished Drafts” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] The Landscape of Grief with Scott Alexander Howard

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Riding the Revision Rollercoaster - season 20 episode 11

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S20 Ep11: In which we travel to “The Other Valley” 

Transcript

 

“I wrote it in a blissful who cares? Mentality, like, ‘oh, well, genre will sort itself out.'” – Scott Alexander Howard

The Other Valley book coverIn this episode, we’re joined by Scott Alexander Howard, author of The Other Valley, a novel where literary meets speculative. Scott delves into his journey from philosophy to fiction, sharing how his background influenced the emotional depth of his debut. We discuss the challenges of genre and the slow dance of publishing.

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(go here for all the books mentioned in 2024)

“The Landscape of Grief with Scott Alexander Howard”  is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
April 12, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 11 | murverse.com
“The Landscape of Grief with Scott Alexander Howard” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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