Posts Tagged ‘Mur Lafferty’

I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Tango with the Tentacles, DESPAIR

“Despair is the overprotective parent going, ‘oh, it’s okay that you lost that game. We’ll protect you by never letting you play again.'” -Mur Lafferty


S21 Ep11
In this episode, we talk about Bully #4, Despair. Despair wants to hug you and join you when it’s raining. It’s nice to feel sorry for yourself for a moment, but you can’t listen to it.

Mur is candid about feeling overwhelmed and the challenges of maintaining a connection to the outside world amidst creative struggles and personal challenges.

We explore some ways to combat despair, including the helpful practice of listing accomplishments and breaking down projects into manageable steps. And get a little fussy.

(This post went live for supporters on June 11, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or get my newsletter at Ghost!

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“Tango with the Tentacles, DESPAIR” 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.

June 18, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 11 | murverse.com
Tango with the Tentacles, DESPAIR” 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.

Ditch Diggers, Podcasts, Projects

[DD] It’s a Multiple Whale Year for Ursula

“Genre is a marketing tool, just like a book cover.” – Mur Lafferty


Ditch Diggers Season 11 logo featuring ursula illustrated In this episode of Ditch Diggers, Mur and Ursula rant about genre expectations, marketing, and what happens when you decide that genre isn’t for you because you’re special. 

Ursula lists her whales, and Imposter Syndrome doesn’t really make a showing when Mur travels. 

Highlights:
– (05:12) Ursula’s anxiety over multiple deadlines and projects
– (12:45) Mur’s recent business trip and the absence of imposter syndrome
– (25:30) The ongoing debate about happy endings in romance
– (38:15) The role of marketing in shaping reader expectations
– (47:50) The challenges of genre classification and reader assumptions
– (55:30) How personal growth as a writer often goes unnoticed

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(This post went live for supporters on June 9, 2025. Join the Fabulists or support my newsletter at Ghost if you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes!)

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Ditch Diggers credits:
theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja,
site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon).
June 12, 2024 | Season 11 Ep 6 | murverse.com
“It’s a Multiple Whale Year for Ursula” by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Tanya DePass, Writing, and Gaming, Live from WorldCon, Glasgow!

ISBW birthday logo with happy Mur illustration and cake.

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[Please note that this podcast is explicit with a few swear words and CW- parental death discussed.]

S20 Ep24: In Which Mur and Tanya DePass Discuss Fanfic, Diversity Consulting, and Creative Journeys

Recorded ON ISBW’s birthday, in Glasgow, y’all. Nineteen years. I’d drop the mic, but it seems I’m committed now.

I think people who turn up their nose at Fanfic are really A: missing out and B: being snobs. – Tanya DePass

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on August 23, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)


Join Mur as she celebrates the 19th anniversary of “I Should Be Writing” with special guest Tanya DePass, aka cypheroftyr. Tanya is a prolific writer, streamer, and game developer, known for her work in promoting diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry. In this episode, they delve into Tanya’s multifaceted career, from founding “I Need Diverse Games” to working on the upcoming Wonder Woman game.

Tanya shares her journey with fanfiction, discussing how it has evolved over the years and how it helps her hone her writing skills. They also touch on the importance of diversity consulting in creative works, offering advice on when and how to seek out consultants to ensure authentic representation.

They explore the emotional challenges of creative careers, the value of finding opportunities, and the importance of community support. Tanya’s insights into streaming, game development, and balancing multiple roles provide a comprehensive look at the modern creative landscape.

Links

Evergreen Links


“Tanya DePass, Writing, and Gaming, Live from WorldCon, Glasgow!” 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.
August 26, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 24 | murverse.com
“Tanya DePass, Writing, and Gaming, Live from WorldCon, Glasgow!” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0