Writer Syndrome

If a book has no reviews, does anyone read it? Social media has changed the world of book reviews and discoverability. In this episode, Russ & Tim chat with prolific writer, editor, and reviewer Alana Joli Abbott about the world of book reviews, how self-published authors can get in the game, and why it's important to step outside your reading comfort zone.

No fear? Then your character may not have much depth. Fear drives characters to make choices, good or bad, as they confront the ghosts they've been avoiding. In this episode, Russ and Tim explore how fear shapes a character’s behavior and decisions throughout a story.

What does it take to become a full-time writer? Russ and Tim chat with horror author Nick Roberts about the ins and outs of the profession. From maintaining a disciplined routine and working with traditional publishers, to the nitty-gritty details of establishing a writing business.

Want a good twist for your story? Earn it. This episode Russ & Tim explore the various types of twists found in fiction and why it's important to earn them with setups and payoffs.

How do you find inspiration? Where can it be found? Once you find it how do you maintain it? This episode Russ & Tim dive into their sources of inspiration and how they maintain it, or not, throughout their writing.

It's one thing to self-publish, but what does it take to start your own publishing imprint? In this episode, Russ and Tim sit down with fantasy author Scott Colby to discuss why and how he created an imprint for his Deviant Magic series, as well as the pros, cons, and lessons learned along the way.

An editor is essential if you want to take your manuscript from a draft to a polished and professional book, but how do you know what kind of edit you need and where to find the right working partner? In this episode, Russ and Tim break down the different types of editors, where to find them, and share their own experiences, mistakes, and tips to ensure your manuscript shines.

Backstory is essential to establishing who your characters are and the decisions they'll make in your story, but how much is too much? In this REPLAY episode from 2024, Russ and Tim discuss backstory, how they approached it for their first novels, and how they plan on using it in their new works.

Have you ever read a book and thought the end wasn't particularly satisfying? Well, you're not alone! In this REPLAY episode, Russ and Tim explore common Act III pitfalls, why they can make your final act fall flat, and how to avoid them.

When self-publishing there are many decisions to be made. The biggest is how you'll publish and distribute your novel. In this episode Russ & Tim chat about the pros and cons of publishing exclusively with Amazon or going WIDE and the choices they've made.

Looking to build hype before a book launch? One tool that can boost an initial launch is ARC (Advanced Review Copy) readers. In this episode, Russ and Tim explore the pros and cons of ARC Readers, why and how authors enlist them, and how they plan to use them (or not) for their upcoming book launches.

What does it take to stand out and be successful when publishing a novel? Spoilers: It's more than simply selling your novel. This episode Russ & Tim chat with Joe Mynhardt from Crystal Lake Publishing about publishing and finding your personal brand.

Are fourth walls made to be broken? Have you mastered the basics and are now ready to experiment with story structure? In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss metafiction and self-awareness, their meaning and characteristics, and how these tools can be used to create engaging narratives.

When is the best time to write? Whenever possible. At least that's what works for John Durgin. This episode, Russ and Tim dig into publishing, horror, and the prolific horror writing habits of John Durgin. John has published over five books in the last few years, with his next, I Woke Up A Final Girl, coming in June of 2026.

WHAM! BAM! ZAP! Interested in knowing what goes into writing a comic book? In this episode, Russ and Tim chat with comic book writer Joey Esposito. He's published stories for DC Comics, working on titles such as BATMAN: URBAN LEGENDS, AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM. He's currently working on the new POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED series from Boom Studios, which kicks off with a special free preview issue o...

Do you have a manuscript sitting in a drawer somewhere? Are you staring at a screen, unsure where to restart? Us too! Sometimes your manuscript will take a backseat to life, by choice or not, and finding your way back can be difficult. In this episode, Russ and Tim find ways to reconnect with projects that life has pushed aside, whether they wanted to or not.

Ever felt like someone was telling you one thing, but their tone was screaming another? Or maybe you’ve decoded a "fine" that definitely didn't mean things were okay? In life and fiction we're always finding meaning beyond intention. In this episode Russ and Tim read between the lines of another idiom and how it functions as a literary device.

A great story deserves a great layout. In this episode, Russ and Tim dig into the nuts and bolts of professional book formatting. Whether you’re prepping a manuscript for a traditional editor or self-publishing a masterpiece, the way your words sit on the page matters just as much as the words themselves.

Love it or hate it, networking is essential for building your writing community. In this episode, Russ and Tim explore why networking matters, share their personal anxieties, and remind people they’re not alone.

Short stories can open many doors for authors, and also be used as a tool to hone storytelling skills and craft. This episode Russ and Tim delve into the power of short stories and all the ways they can help along the author journey.

To have a great hero, you need a great villain. In this episode, Russ and Tim dig into what makes an effective antagonist. Whether they’re an equal, an opposite, or a force more powerful than the hero. They dig into why villains get a bad rap, why they deserve as much care as your protagonist, and how to sidestep the tired tropes that flatten them out. If you want your hero to grow, it starts with...

Tropes can be useful building blocks of storytelling. They're familiar patterns that help audiences quickly understand the parts of a story. In this episode, Russ and Tim explore why tropes aren’t inherently bad, how they support story structure, and what actually counts as a trope. From character types to plot beats. The key isn’t avoiding tropes, but using them in smart, fresh ways.

That's a wrap on 2025! In this episode, Russ and Tim close out the year with a book swap discussion of Annihilation (Jeff VanderMeer) and Parable of the Sower (Octavia E. Butler), exploring themes, writing styles, and why these haunting stories feel especially resonant today. Happy New Year!

A reflective journey about finding your way back to the page after doubt, distraction, or burnout. This episode Russ and Tim talk about what it means to rediscover the path of writing, how creativity drifts and returns, and why the act of writing itself can feel like coming home again.

Who wrote "Not Worth The Paper It's Written On?" Was it film producer Samuel Goldwyn or an Irish Politician who coined this famous idiom? In this episode, Russ and Tim delve into the past to uncover the origins of this well-known phrase and how it went "viral" in the late 1800s, becoming what it is today.