Posts Tagged ‘World-Building’

I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Rachel Howzell Hall on Balancing Thrillers and Fantasy

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S21 Ep3: Rachel Howzell Hall on Balancing Thrillers and Fantasy

“I will try this new thing and I will learn how to do it.” -Rachel Howzell Hall

(This post went live for supporters on March 18, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

(recorded February)

In this episode of I Should Be Writing, we dive into the chaotic world of creativity with acclaimed author Rachel Howzell Hall, thriller writer turned fantasy writer. She discusses her new romantasy book, The Last One.

We delve into the importance of urgency in storytelling, the balance of world-building, and the personal experiences that shape a writer’s voice.

Transcript

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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.
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“Balancing Thrillers and Fantasy” 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.
March 21, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 3 | murverse.com
“Balancing Thrillers and Fantasy” 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] Deck of Worlds: Unleashing Creativity in Fiction

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S20 Ep19: In Which Mur Explores the Deck of Worlds and Story Engine

“You know, if you use the word ‘modified,’ you can get away with anything.”– Mur

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on July 1, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

Hey, are you lost? Check out the video!

Join Mur Lafferty as she dives into a live-streamed session of world-building using the Deck of Worlds and The Story Engine. Despite a challenging week, Mur’s creativity shines as she crafts unique settings and characters, from a swamp with carnivorous plants to a compromised cyborg in a cyberpunk universe. This episode is a treasure trove for writers looking to spark their imagination and explore new storytelling tools.

Links:

Evergreen Links

“Deck of Worlds: Unleashing Creativity in Fiction” 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 15, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 19 | murverse.com
“Deck of Worlds: Unleashing Creativity in Fiction”  by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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