Dead Robots' Society

Can you have subplots when there's only a single main character? How do you handle it when there are no repeated secondary characters? The DRS Crew discusses. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voicesbyveronica.com/ DRS Discord: https://discord.gg/pgmQxaVbGP Enjoy the s...

There's more Amazon/Audible news. There's Salesforce news. There's... How do you keep up on the industry gossip, buzz, and class action lawsuits? The DRS Crew discusses and takes on chat. They've been obnoxious lately... Our links: Dead Robots' Society: https://deadrobotssociety.com Paul's site:  https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voicesby...

What is a "Zero Draft?" Can the processes outlined help you in your writing?  Also in this episode, Paul and V discuss Lovecraft's "Call of Cthulu." Our links: Dead Robots' Society: https://deadrobotssociety.com Paul's site:  https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voicesbyveronica.com/ DRS Discord: https://discord.gg/pgmQxaVbGP Enjoy the show?...

Paul has returned from an eco-tour of Costa Rica. While he had a great time, he's now behind the proverbial 8-ball with a deadline. Terry knows how he feels. So does V. Why are deadlines terrifying to some, but a motivating factor for others? The DRS Crew discusses.   Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.ter...

Terry has gone full bonkers for starships, including creating blueprints and statistics. This madness must be appreciated., The DRS Crew discusses the kinds of detail you should have for your ships, what you should ignore, and when to know the difference. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/...

Turns out that the Audible Premium Plus scam was before our eyes all along... After that discussion, the DRS Crew explains how to go wide. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voicesbyveronica.com/ DRS Discord: https://discord.gg/pgmQxaVbGP Enjoy the show? Consider becomi...

Paul has thoughts about the new series Alien: Earth. Would the series work if it weren't part of the Alien franchise universe? The DRS Crew discusses world-building and the necessary ingredients of a cyberpunk future. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voicesbyveronica....

Audible's new "Audible+" program will destroy the livelihoods of narrators and authors. How will it do that? The DRS Crew discusses, and V brings cats to help explain things. For background, please watch:    • Audible Is Broken   Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voice...

The DRS Crew discusses how to prioritize those pesky side gigs (anthologies, short-story magazines, etc) and decide whether they are compatible with your long-term goals. In other words, knowing when to say "No, thanks." Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voicesbyveroni...

Terry has published over forty novels. Paul? Almost twenty. V has contributed both her writing and vocal talents to dozens of novels. None of these things happened overnight and required persistence. The DRS Crew discusses how to keep on keeping on. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veroni...

Author Doc Coleman joins Terry and Paul for a discussion on all things Steampunk, Gaslamp, and anything else we can think of. Doc Coleman: https://www.doccoleman.com/ Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voicesbyveronica.com/ DRS Discord: https://discord.gg/pgmQxaVbGP Enj...

When the world is filled with darkness and despair, creating art is one of the most courageous acts most of us can accomplish. Are we allowed to find joy in our creations during times of war, disease, and civil strife? More importantly, do people need art to survive? The DRS Crew discusses.   Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terr...

Writer's groups can be an excellent place to exchange ideas, discover new resources, and meet new people. They can also be toxic waste dumps. What are the traits of good writing neighbors and neighborhoods? What's the proper etiquette for becoming a good writing neighbor? The DRS Crew gives their thoughts.  Chat will no doubt complain about the Discord server.   Our links: Paul's store: https://pa...

Stuck for an idea? Want to pay homage to a class work? Is it in the public domain? If the answer is yes, it's your playground. The DRS Crew discusses. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voicesbyveronica.com/ DRS Discord: https://discord.gg/pgmQxaVbGP Enjoy the show? Con...

What tropes do you have to have in a romance? How about suspense versus thriller? The DRS Crew once again takes a question from chat and runs off the rails. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voicesbyveronica.com/ DRS Discord: https://discord.gg/pgmQxaVbGP Enjoy the sho...

The DRS Crew trolled the topics channel and hit paydirt. We'll discuss how to tell when you're writing in the wrong genre, expectations of genres, and reader expectations. Should we have time, we'll also touch on getting new readers and integrating backstories. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon...

The DRS Crew ruminates on procrastination, corraling future works so they don't impinge on the present.   Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voicesbyveronica.com/ DRS Discord: https://discord.gg/pgmQxaVbGP Enjoy the show? Consider becoming a Patreon or Buy Me A Coffee s...

V and Paul run through the standard operating procedure for posting your audiobooks and the various outlets. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voicesbyveronica.com/ DRS Discord: https://discord.gg/pgmQxaVbGP Enjoy the show? Consider becoming a Patreon or Buy Me A Coffe...

No matter the genre, no matter the plot, characters move, talk, and occasionally resort to fisticuffs when words don't work, or the writer gets bored. How do you incorporate action into your scenes? What about reader fatigue? How do you break up those action sequences to keep the reader from becoming numb? And how do you know when you've gone too far? Our links: Dead Robots' Society: https://deadr...

How do you write for audio? Or more importantly, what pitfalls should you avoid? How do you deal with those pesky dialogue tags? And the DRS Crew pontificates on romance versus dark romance. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voicesbyveronica.com/ DRS Discord: https://d...

Hey, you! What's your book's title and why? Will it bring the masses to your door? Or will it ensure they pass you by? The DRS Crew discusses the (not so) subtle art of titles. Bonus? We'll discuss those pesky chapters and whether they need names. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica...

Chat asks what indies can learn from traditional publishers and vice versa. Prepare for opinions... Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voicesbyveronica.com/ DRS Discord: https://discord.gg/pgmQxaVbGP Enjoy the show? Consider becoming a Patreon or Buy Me A Coffee support...

Is there a difference between a plot and a sidequest? How do you know which one you're telling? And can an entire book be a sidequest? Terry wants to know. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voicesbyveronica.com/ DRS Discord: https://discord.gg/pgmQxaVbGP Enjoy the show...

What are some of the pros and cons of using real-life events in your work? Do they make good backdrops or should you avoid them? Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voicesbyveronica.com/ DRS Discord: https://discord.gg/pgmQxaVbGP Enjoy the show? Consider becoming a Patre...

What can writers learn from role-playing game design? Do role-playing games help writers grasp character and universe? The DRS Crew discusses. Chat will bring their dice.   Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:   https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voicesbyveronica.com/ DRS Discord: https://discord.gg/pgmQxaVb...