Got something to say? Send us a text! In this episode of Write Out Loud, Matt and Christina dive into the world of hot takes in storytelling and writing. They debate controversial opinions and craft advice such as the use of prologues, the role of adverbs, plot versus character importance, and the balance of world-building with plot. Some of the hot takes even tackle the complexity of 'show, don't tell,' the nature of villains, and the necessity of conflict in romance. Tune in for a l...
Got something to say? Send us a text! In this episode of Write Out Loud, Matt & Christina dive into the discussion of TV show release schedules, debating the merits of the all-at-once 'binge' model made popular by Netflix versus traditional weekly releases. They explore the impact on audience engagement, social interaction, and potential marketing strategies. Drawing parallels with the publishing industry, the conversation extends to how the frequency of book releases affects reader ant...
Got something to say? Send us a text! In this episode of 'Write Out Loud,' co-hosts Matt and Christina deep dive into the world of literary representation. They welcome acclaimed literary agent Lisa Woodson, who shares invaluable insights into the publishing world. The conversation explores common misconceptions about literary agents, the importance of building an author platform, and effective marketing strategies for new and aspiring authors. Lisa emphasizes the significance of a st...
Got something to say? Send us a text! In this episode of Write Out Loud, hosts Matt and Christina are joined by bestselling author Suzanne Brockmann. Suz talks about her career in romance and military suspense novels, as well as her recent foray into producing LGBTQ indie movies. The highlight of the episode is Suz's discussion on her new Kickstarter campaign for her latest book in the Troubleshooters series, 'Jules Cassidy, PI'. She shares insights into why she chose crowdfunding ove...
Got something to say? Send us a text! Kickoff to Season Five: What's To Come and Celebrating Milestones In the inaugural episode of Write Out Loud's fifth season, hosts Matt and Christina celebrate their return with excitement and energy. Reflecting on significant life changes and a longer-than-expected hiatus, they proudly announce a milestone of 2,500 podcast downloads! The episode introduces the season's lineup, promising insightful conversations with bestselling authors, industry...
Got something to say? Send us a text! In this episode of Write Out Loud, hosts Matt and Christina look back on the impactful moments from Season Four. From tackling imposter syndrome to an insightful conversation with author Kristin Ashley, each episode is revisited to highlight the lessons and laughter shared. They also touch on popular discussions around resistance fiction, the elements of a bestseller, the mystery box concept, writing as a healing path, crafting complex villains, and deb...
Got something to say? Send us a text! In this episode of Write Out Loud, hosts Matt and Christina delve into the unforgettable third episode of 'The Last of Us' titled 'A Long, Long Time.' They explore the emotionally charged storytelling and impactful performances that make this episode a standout. The discussion highlights Craig Mazin's brilliant writing, the deeply moving love story of Bill and Frank, and the significant turning point for characters Joel and Ellie. The conversation...
Got something to say? Send us a text! Quick note: In case we don't make it clear enough, J.K. Rowling is a horrific person who has used her status and wealth to actively harm the trans community. This is not something we believe in nor stand for. If we made money from this podcast, we would donate proceeds from this episode to a charity. Since we don't, we will continue to advocate for the right for trans people to fully be themselves out and loud and proud. In this ...
Got something to say? Send us a text! If you haven't rated and reviewed the show, please take a moment to do so! It really helps us so much, and it's the easiest way for you to show us your love! In this episode of Write Out Loud, hosts Matt and Christina dive into the complex world of digital content ownership and explore whether we truly own the digital books we purchase. Joined by eBook and publishing expert Kelly Peterson, they discuss the implications of licenses versus ownershi...
Got something to say? Send us a text! Take a moment to share the podcast with someone you love, like, or just think about from time to time. Leave us a review, too, will you please? In this episode of 'Write Out Loud,' hosts Matt and Christina dive deep into the art of creating compelling villains. They discuss the elements that make villains interesting, such as depth, motivation, and the ability to evoke both love and hate. Using examples from popular media, they distinguish between...
Got something to say? Send us a text! In this episode of 'Write Out Loud,' hosts Matt and Christina engage in a lively discussion interrupted by their excitement over the release of Scarlett Cole's new book, 'The Oath We Take' just released on March 27th! They revisit a previous podcast episode featuring Scarlett Cole, a successful romance writer. Scarlett shares her journey of transitioning from a senior corporate executive to a full-time writer, and later balancing both career...
Got something to say? Send us a text! In this episode of Write Out Loud, hosts Matt and Christina explore the therapeutic benefits of writing as a means to process emotions, find closure, and achieve personal growth. They discuss how journaling, fiction writing, and memoirs can be tools for self-discovery and healing. Through touching anecdotes and real-life examples of individuals who have used writing to navigate life's challenges, the hosts illustrate how storytelling transcends mere ent...
Got something to say? Send us a text! Please share this episode with someone you know who loves romance novels, Susanna Strom, or both! Also, drop by and give us a rating and a review, would you please? In this engaging episode of 'Write Out Loud,' hosts Matt and Christina explore the essential elements of crafting a captivating first chapter. Joined by romance author Susanna Strom, they discuss the importance of 'show vs. tell' and share practical tips for grabbing readers' attentio...
Got something to say? Send us a text! Share the episode with someone you love! Write a review of the podcast! It all goes a long way towards other people discovering the show you love! In this episode of Write Out Loud, Matt & Christina delve into the concept of the mystery box, specifically referencing JJ Abrams' TED Talk, 'The Mystery Box.' They discuss its application in storytelling and how it can be used to captivate an audience, using examples from shows like 'Lo...
Got something to say? Send us a text! In this episode of 'Write Out Loud,' Matt and Christina discuss the keys to turning a book into a bestseller. Drawing on wisdom, experience, and insights from a Threads post by '@Editor.in.Chief.Writes,' they emphasize the importance of storytelling, emotional resonance, and creative marketing. They argue that while technical perfection isn't necessary, an emotionally gripping narrative is crucial. The discussion also highlights how viral moments ...
Got something to say? Send us a text! Hey there! Don't forget to leave us a rating and a review! It would SO help us out! You can do it quickly and easily right on our website by clicking here! In this episode of 'Write Out Loud,' Matt & Christina reflect on the inspirational journey shared by author Kristen Ashley in the previous episode, highlighting her unwavering belief in herself and her passion for writing. They emphasize the importance of knowing and staying tru...
Got something to say? Send us a text! In this episode of 'Write Out Loud,' Matt and Christina welcome bestselling author Kristen Ashley to discuss her prolific writing career. Listeners learn about Kristen's journey from continuous rejections by traditional publishers to achieving enormous success through self-publishing, with over 90 romance novels translated into 14 languages and more than 5 million copies sold worldwide. The conversation delves into her creative process, the import...
Got something to say? Send us a text! This week, we bring you a replay of a previous episode from a previous season because we had a slight hiccup this week which meant we weren't able to record a new episode. Here are the show notes from the episode which aired on October 2, 2023. "It's another week, and this week we're discussing some of the small, easily-missed details you might have spotted if you're eagle-eyed enough to catch them! These are the little things that add so mu...
Got something to say? Send us a text! In this episode of Write Out Loud, Matt & Christina discuss dealing with imposter syndrome now that we know how it manifests. They explore strategies to combat this debilitating mindset and emphasize the importance of recognizing one's worth and the value of unique voices in storytelling. They highlight interviews with notable creatives like Britt Marling, Zal Batmanglij, and Malcolm Gladwell, and the importance of focusing on constructive feedback....
Got something to say? Send us a text! In this episode of 'Write Out Loud,' join hosts, Matt and Christina, as they lay the groundwork for understanding imposter syndrome and its manifestations. Sharing real-life examples, they discuss how feelings of inadequacy can hinder creativity, especially in writing. Emphasizing that recognizing these feelings is a sign of readiness to grow, they highlight the importance of dealing with imposter syndrome. This episode sets the stage for practica...