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© Jonathan Franzone
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Join a father and daughter team, Jonathan and Ragan Franzone, as they embark on a journey to write their first novels together. They discuss motivations and aspirations of writing a novel, writing accountability, plotting novels, writing dialog, and so much more. If the topic is mildly related to writing a novel, then it might be covered.
37 Episodes
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In this episode, Jonathan and Ragan talk about the previous year of writing (2023) and how they did at finishing (or not finishing) their rough drafts (and the penalties involved with non-completion). They discuss metrics from Spotify Podcasting and then have a debate as to whether or not Dumbledore is a good guy. AND they discuss a giveaway to promote this podcast in the New Year!
In this episode, Jonathan and Ragan talking about the great universal language of love. Ah, l’amour. Specifically, we are continuing our study of fiction characters and diving into what makes a good love interest.
In this episode, Jonathan and Ragan discuss what makes up a good side character. They also dive into some of their favorite (and least favorite) side characters and why they love or hate them. Spoiler Alert: Samwise Gamgee is the true hero!
In this episode, Jonathan and Ragan discuss what makes up a good protagonist (THE HERO!). They also dive into some of their favorite (and least favorite) protagonists and why they love or hate them.
In this episode we discuss what makes up a good antagonist. We also dive into some of our favorite (and least favorite) antagonists and why we love or hate them.
In this episode, Jonathan and Ragan (and Avery) attempt to plot a new novel live. We dive into world-building, character-building, motivations, magic-systems, and merpeople genocide. We thought it would be a fun exercise so that our listeners could experience the goofy things we talk about and also see what it's like to develop ideas for your stories.
In this episode, Jonathan and Ragan discuss music and writing. First, we have to clear up exactly what that means, and then we embark on all the aspects: listening to music while writing or reading and writing music into your novel.
In this episode, Jonathan and Ragan discuss magic systems. We talk (again) about Brandon Sanderson's laws of magic, and then we apply those laws to the magic found in various books, including The Hobbit, The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, Mistborn, and more.
In this episode, Jonathan and Ragan discuss book formats (i.e., hard cover, paperback, audio, ebook, etc.). They discuss the pros and cons of the various formats as well as what are their favorite formats. Finally, they talk about publishing prospects and things to think about in publishing their own novels.
In this episode, Jonathan and Ragan discuss the impact of worldview on writing fiction. Is it possible to write without a worldview? Should we leverage our worldview to create more compelling stories?
In this episode, Jonathan and Ragan discuss point of view in writing fiction. There are generally four points of view: first person, second person, third person (limited), and third person (omniscient). We also read excerpts from some books demonstrating these various viewpoints.
A storytelling trope is a common plot device, theme, or character type that is used in a work of fiction. Trope comes from the Greek word "tropos," which means "a turn" or "a change." In storytelling, a trope is a recurring pattern or an established convention that has become a recognizable element of storytelling.
In this episode, we discuss our favorite and least favorite story tropes. Which story tropes are useful and compelling for a story? Which tropes drive us crazy and even cause Ragan to stop reading a book?
On this episode, Jonathan and Ragan interview author Austin C. Brown. Austin lives in Pensacola, FL with his wife and three children. He has written a memoir about the adventures of a postal worker, several theological works, and literary fiction. We discuss how to get writing done, what are good sources of inspiration, and the differences between writing fiction and non-fiction. Ragan even blows Austin’s mind with her aphantasia.
In this episode, we discuss what is involved in developing believable characters. Who to write complex versus flat characters. How to develop a character over the course of your novel. Should you use character sheets and develop a backstory?
In this episode, we look at the 2023 New Year and make some resolutions about our writing. Basically, we are going to try to finish these novels! We also discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of what we read last year, and some options for reading this coming year.
In this episode, we talk about world-building. Writing fiction involves placing characters into a world. What does that world look like? Is it modern-day Earth? Is it Medieval Europe? Is it some alien planet that looks nothing like Earth? How do people dress? What religions are involved? These are some of the writing topics we dig into.
It's editing season on Writing on Caffeine! In this episode, Jonathan and Ragan share their experience rereading their first drafts and diving into the reverse outline process—complete with character revelations, structural surprises, and a healthy dose of Post-it note chaos. They reflect on February’s progress and look ahead to the real work of March: character revisions, thematic clarity, and staying motivated through the mess. Whether you're mid-revision or gearing up to start, this episode is your cozy companion on the editing journey.
In this episode, we’re breaking down our month-by-month plan for editing our novels, from big-picture structural changes to final proofreading. We’ll walk through each phase of the process, including macro edits, character development, worldbuilding tweaks, and polishing prose. Plus, we’ll share our strategies for staying on track, managing feedback, and avoiding burnout. Whether you're deep in revisions or just preparing for your first big rewrite, this episode will give you a clear roadmap to take your novel from messy draft to polished manuscript.
In this episode, Jonathan and Ragan talk about the previous year of writing (2024) and how they did at finishing (or not finishing) their rough drafts. They discuss metrics from Spotify Podcasting and then discuss what topics they have in store for the year ahead.
Looking to craft fight scenes that grip your readers from the first punch? In this episode, we dive deep into the art of writing fast-paced, fluid, and fierce action sequences that leap off the page. Learn how to master cause and effect, engage all five senses, and structure dynamic fight scenes that keep your audience on the edge of their seat. Whether you're writing hand-to-hand combat or epic battles, these tips will ensure your action scenes pack a punch!
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