The Nit Writs Pod

**SPOILER ALERT FOR MAASVERSE, SAGA OF THE UNFATED, BEAST OF THE BRIAR AND THE ZODIAC VERSE!** In this episode, we discuss our current stories and work through quite a bit of Allie’s character’s motivations, problems, tendencies and the magic and inner workings of the world. We also discuss Saga of the Unfated and Echo Fort (which Allie is reading), the Beast of the Briar’s prequel and Zodiac (whi...

**SPOILER ALERT FOR NEVER KEEP AND THE ZODIAC VERSE! Also some light spoilers for Touch of Darkness (the whole series) and the Maasverse!** In this episode we go through the books we've read so far this year and rank them! Check it out and let us know what you think of our rankings! Intro and Outro Music is by Chasing West https://www.instagram.com/chvsingwest/ http://www.youtube.com/@chasingw...

Everest & Vesper by palinlineart on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/p/DAOUOL3IQUB/?img_index=1 **SPOILER ALERT FOR NEVER KEEP AND THE ZODIAC VERSE! Also some light spoilers for Touch of Darkness (the whole series) and the Maasverse!**   Intro and Outro Music is by Chasing West https://www.instagram.com/chvsingwest/ http://www.youtube.com/@chasingwest

In this ep, we discuss our current reads (Allie is reading “Touch of Darkness” on Audio and Sam is in the middle of Sins of the Zodiac series!) and do a little writing exercise. We took an hour to write and just worked on our current WIP and then read/discussed them together. It was super fun and a useful way back into writing a bit more since we both struggled a bit this week.  Intro and Outro Mu...

***SPOILER ALERT!! Spoilers for the Maasverse and the Zodiac Academy Universe!*** In this episode, we discuss our next chapters of our new stories and discuss our icks and pet peeves specifically when it comes to the way we see patriarchal ideas permeating through the romance and romantasy space. This is by no means an exhaustive look at this idea but just more of how we think about and approach i...

***SPOILER ALERT!! Light spoilers for Zodiac Academy and Maasverse!*** In this ep we discuss a new project we’re working on where we are writing chapters to each other in real time each week! We began this episode after sharing our first chapters and this entire episode is basically us working on our worlds and thinking through characters and setting together. It was honestly super interesting and...

***SPOILER ALERT!! Spoilers for Darkmore (Zodiac Academy spinoff), Maasverse, and Bonded by Thorns!*** In this episode we have a nice little end of semester virtual drink together and do a writing exercise! Sam had lots to say about recently finishing Darkmore and debating what book she should read next and we spend lots of time discussing our writing, etc. We didn’t have a focus for the exercise...

Art: Nesta by madschofield on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/p/CoDlfN-pg49/   Lionel by adamszkiart on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/p/CljYW6eLeD9/?img_index=3   Tamlin by michelacacciatore on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/p/B6sGDfgqd5u/   ***SPOILER ALERT!! Spoilers for ALL of Zodiac Academy, Daughter of No Worlds and Maasverse!*** In this episode we discuss where some charact...

Art: Gabriel by bethgilbert_art for atouchofmagicdesigns on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/p/CmW_R2_L8SN/?img_index=1   Elise by jemlin_c on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd_YNmvr8Wq/   ***SPOILER ALERT!! Spoilers for Zodiac Academy ALL of Zodiac Academy and some of Ruthless Fae!*** Please don’t listen unless you’ve read the entire Zodiac Academy main series! In this episode, we dis...

Tory & Darcy by Maria Selto on Deviantart and Instagram! https://www.deviantart.com/mariaselto/art/Tory-x-Darcy-Vega-Zodiac-Academy-943906666   ***SPOILER ALERT!! Spoilers for Zodiac Academy up to Book 9 so proceed with caution!*** In this episode, we discuss where Sam is at in Zodiac Academy (ALMOST at the end of Zodiac 9) and her fav moments and expectations. We also spend some time discussi...

Seth and Caleb by liaramirezillustration on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/p/DLlmWfLt3Zu/?img_index=1   The Heirs by adamszkiart on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/p/ClTyzT8LquU/?img_index=1   ***SPOILER ALERT!! Spoilers for Zodiac Academy up to Book 8 Chapter 3 (and a random Throne of Glass spoilers because of comparisons/etc) so proceed with caution!*** In this episode, we discuss cha...

Art by bethgilbert_art on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/p/CXboizHrERN/?img_index=1   ***OBVIOUSLY SPOILER ALERT!! Spoilers for Zodiac Academy up to Book 6 so proceed with caution!*** In this episode, we discuss our current reads–Zodiac Academy! We weren’t going to coordinate this at first and Allie just started reading because of all the insanely varying reviews but now Allie’s almost at th...

In this episode, we discuss character voice! This is kind of an overall discussion with a focus on our own writing too since the topic is pretty broad. We also had a lot of fun discussing Zodiac Academy as we’ve begun reading them (we just had to know what people were on about with how much they love AND hate these books!). Let us know what you think in the comments! Poem of the Week: Winter Stars...

In this episode, we discuss the descriptions of scents and taste in romantasy in particular! There’s lots of interesting examples throughout the genre and many a book boyfriend has a signature scent! We discuss the vibes of some of them and how they interact with the story/writing/etc.  What’s your favorite book boyfriend scent?!? Here’s the reddit thread we were looking at for the Maasverse scent...

Thumbnail art:  Art by madschofield on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ465dUyjDc/?img_index=2   **WARNING! Spoilers for the Shepherd King Duology!** In this episode, discuss this duology that we recently read at the same time! We discuss our favorite parts, debate the writing and what we loved and didn’t love as much (as always–no hate on these great books!) We chat about the use of rhyme...

In this episode we had so much fun chatting about the first pages of some iconic and super well-loved booktok books! The ranking was super fun and something we'll def consider doing again (though maybe shorter lol we can YAP! omg). Which one is your fav first page?? Keep in mind there may be light spoilers for any of these so proceed with caution! Intro and Outro Music is by Chasing West https...

Thumbnail art:  Septimus and Nyaxia by the INCREDIBLE alicia.mb.art on Instagram! Septimus: https://www.instagram.com/p/CvFS5o8Lluc/   Nyaxia: https://www.instagram.com/p/CwxcBm0r8Y2/   **WARNING! Spoilers for the Crowns of Nyaxia series!** In this episode, we analyze the cover of The Lion & The Deathless Dark cover by Carissa Broadbent! We read the blurb and look at the cover and discuss what...

In this episode, we do a writing exercise! We start with reading & writing check ins as always but then we spent honestly a good chunk of time (that was then cut out of course lol) writing our scenes! We read and discussed them and had a lot of fun discussing the interesting things that come up with a prompt like this.  If you want to do it with us, here’s the Writing Exercise Prompt: Write a...

Thumbnail art: Violet & Xaden by rezle_ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFGOA1wNKtX/?img_index=1   Aelin & Rowan by liaramirezillustration on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCDR_z_OeZS/?img_index=1 Oraya & Raihn by vallerony_ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DEm_1oKsptp/?hl=en Mische & Asar cludi_a_ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNBI7OcNfpE/  ...

In this episode, we discuss Brandon Sanderson’s Three-Pronged Character Development concept! This concept is a really interesting one generally about how to balance characters by using this sliding scale tool for three different key components of a character: proactivity, relatability, and competency. We discuss this with our own characters and some popular BookTok characters to see how this reall...

In this episode, we chat through different story structures and talk through how we approach these in our stories (especially as one of us is a panster and the other is a plotter!) and discuss different approaches for how we could do things.  If you’re a writer, what story structure do you use?? Intro and Outro Music is by Chasing West https://www.instagram.com/chvsingwest/ http://www.youtube.com/...

In this episode, we discuss our naming process for our own characters and some of our favorite within some popular books too. We found so much to talk about and honestly still have more surface to scratch but it was a really interesting and fun conversation. A lot of names are really instinctive but also need to resonate and can really make or break a story! What are some of your favorite characte...

In this episode, we check in with each other in terms of our reading and writing this week and then we get into a writing exercise! We have a lot of fun with this one and both ending up reading what we wrote during the exercise! Here’s the prompt:  Describe your character’s favorite place (that you haven’t yet described).  If you’re a writer, give this one a try! If you do, let us know how it went...

In this episode, we discuss what got us started writing our main novels and how we think about the process! We also talk for quite a while about Sam’s new reading experience with the Beast of the Briar series! Check it out and let us know–if you’re a writer, what got you started writing???  Intro and Outro Music is by Chasing West https://www.instagram.com/chvsingwest/ http://www.youtube.com/@chas...

**Keep in mind this episode will have SPOILERS for The Fallen & The Kiss of Dusk!!** Thumbnail art is by naarielart on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/p/DCPETgVRXLP/ In this episode, we discuss our thoughts on The Fallen & The Kiss of Dusk! We didn’t read or write too much this week so we just jump right in discussing some of our favorite aspects of the book and theories for the next...