The Nit Writs Pod

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...

In this episode, we discuss our reading and writing goals for 2026! We are both looking to amp up our reading and writing this year and we hope you’ll join us!! What are your goals for the New Year?? Intro and Outro Music is by Chasing West https://www.instagram.com/chvsingwest/ http://www.youtube.com/@chasingwest

In this episode, we get into the different marketing trends we see on booktok and how authors present their books to audiences! We’re always interested and puzzled by the different strategies and we had a lot of fun here talking about how this works when a big part of the fun of reading is not knowing what comes next. As always, we both see this a little differently so it’s an interesting discussi...

In this episode, we discuss our fav lore! We actually didn’t fully talk through everything and ended up discussing a lot about exposition (but I’m sure we’ll return to lore discussions in general–but exposition is a huge part of that convo!). We do our reading check ins (spoiler alert for When the Moon Hatched and Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk!) where we heavily discuss Allie’s experience finishing...

In this episode, we check in with our reading and writing as always and we spend our main discussion doing a writing exercise! The exercise prompt is given at 21:45 (also written below) and we read what we came up with at XX:XX. This one was super fun to do as two people at different stages and experience with our writing (Sam has never done this style of writing exercise, Allie has done hundreds...

Raihn from Crowns of Nyaxia by @aseriaart on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Cy3dC0rohbe/?img_index=1 Rhysand from ACOTAR by  @charliebowater on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BLEsQ6FABPR/ Xaden from Fourth Wing by @carraert on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/C35ArZqMzRE/?img_index=1   **SPOILER WARNING FOR CROWNS OF NYAXIA SERIES, ACOTAR, FOURTH WING, LIGHT SPOILERS FOR BROKEN...

In this episode, we’ve got our usual reading and writing check ins and then we discuss being a pantser and a plotter! Allie is a pantser and Sam is a plotter so we talk about our very different processes, struggles, patterns in writing, etc. We discuss some of our current stories and how that process has shaped them and it’s a fun conversation! During our reading check in we also have some fun cla...

This episode is a little intro episode where we are discussing who we are and where we’re at on our own reading and writing journeys!  Intro and Outro Music is by Bar Dahan! Check him out on Instagram as Chasing West! https://www.instagram.com/chvsingwest/ http://www.youtube.com/@chasingwest Chapters: 00:00–Intro song, and episode intro 00:22–Why are we doing this?! lol 2:44–Writing check ins (All...