Lasers Dragons And Keyboards

This week we have with us CW Briar, author of Wrath & Ruin, an anthology filled with spec fic ranging from horror to humorous sci-fi. We discuss gnomes--eep! In Episode 51: Why he wrote an anthology rather than starting with a full-length novel. Accomplishments and interesting experiences as a first-time author. CW's favorite characters from the anthology. How CW's desires for a certain effect shaped some of his stories. Interesting juxtapositions of CW's research. CW can't pick one captain. :) We get off on a bit of Doctor Who riff. How writing Wrath & Ruin has changed CW. As always, see complete show notes at LasersDragonsandKeyboards.com

This episode brought us the joy of interviewing co-host and producer Liberty in regards to her latest book, Omission (Now available in e-format!) In Episode 49: We discuss who makes the better Liberty. Liberty tells us what it's like to be a series writer. We get to hear who'd make the best cast for a TV version of the Darby Shaw Chronicles In Episode 50: We hear what the perfect music for writing mysteries is. Gluten-free snacks are discussed. We get profound as Liberty tells us how writing has changed her! Be sure to check out our site, LasersDragonsAndKeyboards.com, for more detailed show notes and links!   Liberty Speidel Omission (Book #4 of the Darby Shaw Chronicles)

This episode brought us the joy of interviewing co-host and producer Liberty in regards to her latest book, Omission (Now available in e-format!) In Episode 49: We discuss who makes the better Liberty. Liberty tells us what it's like to be a series writer. We get to hear who'd make the best cast for a TV version of the Darby Shaw Chronicles In Episode 50: We hear what the perfect music for writing mysteries is. Gluten-free snacks are discussed. We get profound as Liberty tells us how writing has changed her! Be sure to check out our site, LasersDragonsAndKeyboards.com, for more detailed show notes and links!   Liberty Speidel Omission (Book #4 of the Darby Shaw Chronicles)

This week, we have Keven Newsome again to talk writing! Plotting/pantsing theory. Keven's modified Snowflake method (shoutout to Randy Ingermanson). Writing and editing tips in Scrivener from Keven & Liberty. How Keven uses One Note to track his notes and research. Keven's editing process and tips. Joss Whedon advice on writer's block. Keven's Musicality in his writing. Marketing tips that DON'T work. Writing a series. Liberty has to roll solo when Aaron's router drops out. We talk classic Doctor Who, which is always a fun topic. Links: Keven Newsome The Winter Series P.A. Baines - Alpha Redemption Robin McKinley - Hero and the Crown The 5 Stage plot (from Keven's blog) One Note Keven's Epic Radio on Spotify Doctor Who   Be sure to check out website: www.LasersDragonsAndKeyboards.com for more detailed show notes!

This week on this (late) show, we have with us Keven Newsome! Keven is a pastor, and the author of the Winter Series. In today's episode, Liberty gets her geek card revoked by Keven as we discuss the Chronicles of Narnia. We have a lively discussion in general--as per usual--without Josh.  Be sure to check our show notes at LasersDragonsAndKeyboards.wordpress.com for more detail on the show, as well as links to things we discuss! *** Also, apologies for some poor audio quality in parts of the show. We think we know why the glitches happened and are working to rectify it. ***

We were totally delighted to hang out with one of the forefathers of the awesome Realm Makers conference in these episodes, Kerry Nietz! Kerry, as he says, is a refugee from software engineering, and is the author of Amish Vampires in Space (as seen on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon!) In Episode 46: How Kerry structures his writing time so he can end his session in the middle of a scene. Oh, Scrivner, do we love thee? Let us count the ways... Kerry's really good first drafts, and how he handles editing. Developing a thick skin! (Metaphorically...) Developing habits to overcome writer's block (literally...) Mayans, mythology, and vampire gods - Oh My! Never stop writing-never surrender! The differences in traditional publishing versus self-publishing, at least from Kerry's perspective. Too lazy to type out the links while you're listening? We've got you covered! (If they don't work, it's Liberty's fault....) Kerry Nietz Frayed Amish Vampires in Space Mike Duran Tosca Lee Nadine Brandes (editing service

We were totally delighted to hang out with one of the forefathers of the awesome Realm Makers conference in these episodes, Kerry Nietz! Kerry, as he says, is a refugee from software engineering, and is the author of Amish Vampires in Space (as seen on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon!)   In Episode 45: Revisiting story worlds by writing Frayed. Threadbare, the main character, and why Kerry loves him. Throwing characters curve balls (No, not literally...) Liberty's cold leads to a misinterpretation of one of our questions, and an interesting answer. Research into boxing! Kerry's favorite superhero and the version he prefers! Usually, one's superhero and one's Captain have similar traits... Mr. Nietz is an exception... Too lazy to type out the links while you're listening? We've got you covered! (If they don't work, it's Liberty's fault....) Kerry Nietz Frayed Amish Vampires in Space Mike Duran Tosca Lee Nadine Brandes (editing services) Jeff Gerke (editing services) Ray Bradbury (Hey, he won a Pulitzer

We had John Brhel on with us in these episodes. He was a bit of an unknown to us, but we had a lot of fun hanging out with him and talking about Marvelry's Curiosity Shop. He's part of a writing duo with Joseph Sullivan and they tend to write horror. Marvelry's Curiosity Shop definitely has a horror vibe to it even though it's more paranormal fantasy, but also a lot of human interest. Not getting boxed in by outlines. Working with a co-writer. Knocking out drafts in a day or two. Writing with infants (and how that affects writing software choice!) On the fly research. Real-time editing with a co-writer. Various techniques to overcome writer's block Liberty learns that there's such a thing as video game soundtracks! How John's day job influences his marketing, and some of his tips and tricks to market his books. Things you shouldn't be doing as authors when you're marketing. Links: John Brhel John on Twitter John & Joe's Website (Cemetery Gates Media) Marvelry's Curiosity Shop At the Cemetery Gates Ste

We had John Brhel on with us in these episodes. He was a bit of an unknown to us, but we had a lot of fun hanging out with him and talking about Marvelry's Curiosity Shop. He's part of a writing duo with Joseph Sullivan and they tend to write horror. Marvelry's Curiosity Shop definitely has a horror vibe to it even though it's more paranormal fantasy, but also a lot of human interest. Episode 43: The influences that helped create Doctor Marvelry and Marvelry's Curiosity Shop. Some of the history that helps color the stories. Fun things John and Joe had to research! Does Indiana Jones qualify as a superhero? Read free books by the dead guys, but buy indie author's books! Liberty somehow makes a connection between one of John's upcoming books and the Village People (listen to see if you can follow her logic!) Links: John Brhel John on Twitter John & Joe's Website (Cemetery Gates Media) Marvelry's Curiosity Shop At the Cemetery Gates Stephen King's Needful Things Are You Afraid of the Dark? (Nickelodeon Sh

This week on the show, we have Celesta Thiessen, the author of the Super Seven series. She hails from Manitoba (I think she's our first Canadian author!), and had a lot to share about her series and writing.   In Episode 42: Celesta's pantsing process. (We all agree it's brave!) Aaron is amazed at the earliness at which Celesta writes. And Aaron also is really quick on puns and quips in this episode! We talk strange place names where we all live. Celesta's unusual research methods. Self-editing and Celesta's lengthy process (which includes her husband!) We get into a bit of a Mac vs. PC debate. Celesta's long term goals! Links! Celesta Thiessen The Super Seven Salt Eden (Celeste's new book for adults!) The Physics of Superheroes Kathy Tyers Kerry NietzA Star Curiously Singing

This week on the show, we have Celesta Thiessen, the author of the Super Seven series. She hails from Manitoba (I think she's our first Canadian author!), and had a lot to share about her series and writing. In Episode 41: Celesta's favorite parts of writing the series. An impromptu author reading of her favorite scene from Two of a Kind! The science behind her superhero powers in her books. Celesta's favorite superhero...and how he figures into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We spend some time analyzing the movie. Many bunny trails on the parts of the hosts...   Links! Celesta Thiessen The Super Seven Salt Eden (Celeste's new book for adults!) The Physics of Superheroes Kathy Tyers Kerry Nietz  

This week on LDK, we have a wonderful time talking with Laura VanArendonk Baugh (try saying that three times fast!) We managed to get a few details about ancient Japanese culture, of which, Laura seems to be a near-expert on. In Episode 40 We nearly kill Aaron with Laura's response to plotting  problems. Laura definitely had us in stitches with this one. We talk Scrivener, which we're delighted to find she makes use of it, though not 100% of the time. Laura's winning editing process. Laura's reasons for eating chocolate! Training your subconscious. The non-coffee-drinking writers! Crazy research--and how it's paid off in Laura's life! (And don't Google search the one thing she mentions!) Some of Laura's marketing techniques (hint: a lot of it has to do with personality!) Links! Laura VanArendonk Baugh Buy her books! Dave Duncan (The Gilded Chain) Susan Spann (Shenobi Mysteries)

This week on LDK, we have a wonderful time talking with Laura VanArendonk Baugh (try saying that three times fast!) We managed to get a few details about ancient Japanese culture, of which, Laura seems to be a near-expert on. In Episode 39 Kitsune is a fox spirit, hence the foxes on the covers of her books. The folklore roots within her books, including some loose relation to Pokemon. Laura thinks our favorite character question is a mean question to ask! Kitsune-Tsuki was written in one sitting (!!!). Laura defines our superhero question in an interesting way. We introduce a new question! Aaron gives his opinion on what the best of the Star Trek movies is. (May or may not be what you expect!) Links! Laura VanArendonk Baugh Buy her books! Dave Duncan (The Gilded Chain) Susan Spann (Shenobi Mysteries)

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Jill Williamson, Nadine Brandes, Lauren Brandenburg, and Katie Grace to discuss writing from a young author point of view.  You'll notice that we have fewer laugh tracks because we all had our microphones muted! Also, we had 7 people on a chat, so some of us had some technical issues. :( Sorry about that!) Some of the topics we discussed were: Challenges that young writers face, from their own perspective. Challenges for mentors to young writers. Who mentors the mentors? Creative people versus non-creative people. Making time for writing and editing. Different writing software--and tools and apps! Character arcs of favorite superheroes. There is no such thing as good writing, only good rewriting. -- Robert Graves Books you have to read (besides our own): The Lunar Chronicles

This week on the show, we have Randy Streu, who is the producer of Beyond the Rim, a sci-fi and horror audio drama/podcast. In Episode 36 Randy discusses how he got into radio drama, with its roots coming from college. We discuss PEG...and how she ties to one of our hosts. Why writing for radio is good for lazy writers! Social commentary in writing. The gruesome research for Shoo, Fly, the first production for Beyond the Rim. Aaron & Randy Streu Listen to Episode 1 of Beyond the Rim Here! In Episode 37 Too lazy to plot. Music selections for the horror writer. Ommwriter. Writing flash fiction. Staying fully immersed and how it can be difficult. How to adapt a story for audio. Randy's unique way of dealing with writer's block. "Books I Didn't Write." The differences and similarities between marketing an audio drama versus a book. The problems of not being able to pick a favorite movie (or book). Write it anyway, even if you think no one wants to hear what you have to say.   Links! Randy Streu A F

This week on the show, we have Randy Streu, who is the producer of Beyond the Rim, a sci-fi and horror audio drama/podcast. In Episode 36 Randy discusses how he got into radio drama, with its roots coming from college. We discuss PEG...and how she ties to one of our hosts. Why writing for radio is good for lazy writers! Social commentary in writing. The gruesome research for Shoo, Fly, the first production for Beyond the Rim. Aaron & Randy Streu Listen to Episode 1 of Beyond the Rim Here!   Links! Randy Streu A Flame in the Dark Productions The Tick (TV show) Master & Commander (books  by Patrick O'Brian & movie) J-Pod (Douglass Coupland) Ted Dekker Frank Peretti Stephen Lawhead

In this week's (bonus!) episode of the show, Josh and Liberty pick Aaron's brain on what happened in Philadelphia at Realm Makers 2016. For anyone who hasn't been, the camaraderie is amazing, and you immediately feel like you've found your tribe. This year, Aaron got to hear sessions from Thomas Locke, Tosca Lee, and Kathy Tyers, among others. Aaron shares some of his notes from Tosca's sessions on characterization (these are really good!) Josh and Liberty wished we were in this session alongside him! We decide that for 2017, we need a cloning machine. There's too many sessions that we want to go to! (But we're pretty sure that's part of the plan since the founders do sell recordings!) Creativity is one of the rarest gifts. We have our creativity to honor God with, and that's who we are, no matter what our day job is. Love it and know you're meant to do that. -- Tom Black Realm Makers 2017 is at the Atlantis Casino & Resort in Reno, NV July 27 - 29. You need to be there! Registration opens in the spring

This week on the show, we're lacking Josh, but we have the wonderful Mary Ruth Pursselley on with us! Aaron and Liberty have trouble getting into a good rhythm without Josh, so there's a bit of back and forth as those two try to get going. Mary Ruth is the author of epic fantasy novel, Song of the Wren Falcon, and a lover of hot tea. In Episode 34: Confessions of a full-on pantser! Chaotic first drafts and how they inform you in the future when you look back. Binge-watching My Little Pony. Having friends to help with problems in your book. The benefits of having neighbors far away when you're a fantasy novelist. Useful ideas on how to overcome writer's block. Mary Ruth's Earl Grey snobbery. ;) The crazy things Mary Ruth has Googled and her new favorite word. Mary Ruth's profound advice to new authors (not what you'd expect!) Links: Mary Ruth Pursselley Song of the Wren Falcon Raphael Sabitini (Captain Blood, The Seahawk, Scar Moonshade) Patrick W. Carr (listen to his interviews: Part 1 & Part 2) J.

This week on the show, we're lacking Josh, but we have the wonderful Mary Ruth Pursselley on with us! Aaron and Liberty have trouble getting into a good rhythm without Josh, so there's a bit of back and forth as those two try to get going. Mary Ruth is the author of epic fantasy novel, Song of the Wren Falcon, and a lover of hot tea. In Episode 33: Mastering subtext--or at least faking it when your readers pick up on something you didn't necessarily intend. Rewriting and redrafting multiple times on your first novel. Doing a redemption theme well. (Aaron kinda geeks out about this!) Embarrassing ways to be discovered while figuring out choreography for a sword fight by ones brother. Interesting medical stuff researched. Aaron talks Mary Ruth out of her favorite superhero, then proceeds to tease both the women about Tom Hiddleston. Early childhood crushes. Mary Ruth's boyfriend had to twist her arm to be in a relationship by watching a particular movie. Mary Ruth shares some bitterness towards the hosts for f

We're delighted to have contemporary fantasy author K.M. (aka Kessie) Carroll on our show this week! After we discuss the heat in Arizona (where Kessie lives), and Aaron gives Liberty a really hard time, we actually get down to the business of the day.     Overly suggestive book titles for outlining (Take Off Your Pants) Dealing with writer's block, and why it may be happening. Kessie's ideal Chai latte, as well as hot chocolate How a city might respond to a zombie apocalypse. E-Reader News Today & Pixel of Ink going belly up. :( A very unusual answer to our fandom question. :) When readers read into your books deeper than you intended. Lots of funnies. You're allowed to write crap, just keep writing.   Links: K.M. Carroll The Spacetime Legacy Magic Weaver (latest in her series) Diana Wynne Jones (Howl's Moving Castle) Sara Prineas Elizabeth Goudge Jim Butcher (Dresden Files) Larry Correia (Monster Hunter's International) Domino Finn (Black Magic Outlaw) Heartstriker Series by Rachel Aaron Take Off You