The Scripturient Society

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa   breaks down the mammoth-like urban fantasy Lady Midnight , book one in The Dark Artifices series by YA fiction icon Cassandra Clare! From assessing the need for 700 pages of content to the presence of "fluff" and a possible dip in the writing quality compared to Clare's previous works, to red pen points in which Karissa/Katherine withd...

Word of the week: Bellicose In this episode the hosts discuss plot armor -- AKA the concept of putting your characters through physical injuries and/or challenges that require a certain suspension of disbelief for readers to accept. With conditions ranging from blood loss and oxygen deprivation to the effects of heat, cold, and more, do you know where to draw the line for your story and genre to m...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa finally breaks down  one of her co-host's all-time favorite books - If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio. This murder mystery thriller straddles the line between new adult and adult fiction, utilizing flashbacks for a unique delivery along with endless references to the bard himself (i.e. Shakespeare). This book is an ideal choice for readers who appr...

Word of the week: Imbroglio In this episode the hosts discuss easy editing hacks to improve the brevity and thereby the impact of your writing! From the most important rules of grammar to the best opportunities for grammar rule-breaking, a message delivered in as few words as possible is often the best way to go. Join Ash and Karissa as they grammar and writing rules to improve conciseness and giv...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa breaks down  popular duology Gilded by Myrissa Meyer, master of the YA fantasy genre and fairytale retellings in particular. Not only does this book carry the same tone and craft as Meyer's famous Lunar Chronicles books, but it delves into somewhat lesser-known fairytales for a refreshing spin on what has become a beloved genre. Rife with danger,...

Word of the week: Frisson In this episode the hosts discuss all the best and worst things about the soulmate trope. From philosophical disagreements about the existence of soulmates to the parts of the trope that make it truly magical, the soulmates trope may have more to offer than first meets the eye - even for skeptics like Ash.  Join Ash and Karissa as they discuss how and when to use the soul...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa breaks down true thriller Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian. Not only does this book stand out as an excellent example of a true NA novel, offering more mature content in a highly justified setting and application, but it also centers around a unique concept; what if a university offered scholarships to diagnosed psychopaths in exchange for their coop...

Word of the week: Folderol In this episode the hosts are joined by guest novelist and writing coach Mary Adkins to discuss how to write from and about personal trauma without retraumatizing yourself or your readers. From the responsibility a writer has to protect their readers, to the methods a writer can take to protect their own mental health during the creative writing process, Karissa, Ash, an...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa breaks down YA fantasy The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber; this is the second book following Once Upon a Broken Heart in the sequel series to the magical and beloved Caraval.  This book is a prime example of consistency in quality, style, and worldbuilding, providing a satisfying story that feels brand new despite having an air of familiarit...

Word of the week: Bowdlerize In this episode the hosts discuss how to write fiction as a Christian (or as anyone trying to communicate an important message). There are a variety of cringeworthy and painfully common pitfalls that Christian writers tend to fall into; in this episode these self-proclaimed writers who are Christian get to the bottom of how to write high-quality stories with Christian...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa breaks down YA fantasy romance recommendation The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller. This book provides all the satisfaction of a classic YA fantasy as well as that of the more recently popular NA or "New Adult" fantasy genre. Fast-paced and full of rich, magical imagery, this book could be the antidote to anyone finding themself in a...

Word of the week: Winkle In this episode the hosts discuss the celebrity writer phenomenon - both celebrities turned writers, and writers turned celebrities, as well as some interesting observations about these categories and pitfalls these realms of fiction tend to fall prey to.  Join Ash and Karissa as they discuss celebrity writers and keeping standards high! Don't forget to visit the NEW...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Lewis/Katherineis returning from hiatus to break down a popular TikTok book rec, Kingdom of the Wicked   by none other than Kerri Maniscalco. Well-known for her Stalking Jack the Ripper series, this author has a reputation for crafting enticingly original premises, but does the qualify of the craft stand up to the hype?  Join Karissa as she analyzes th...

Word of the week: Eccedentesiast In this episode the hosts discuss the pros and cons of romanticizing romance, particularly in YA/NA fiction. What's the right balance between realism and fantasy fulfillment when writing romance and developing romantic relationships? Join Ash and Karissa as they broadly discuss the ideal way to craft fictional romances! Don't forget to visit the NEW Scrip...

Word of the week: Peccable In this episode the hosts discuss all things POETRY! From the best poets and poetic devices to the cringiest poetic mistakes, the importance of cultural and historical context when reading poetry, and what the non-poets can learn from this type of art, the hosts find plenty to discuss. Join Ash and Karissa as they discuss what makes the best and worst of poetry! Don&apos...

Word of the week: Athazagoraphobia In this episode the hosts discuss the time-honored trope of the meet cute (or meet-cute, depending on your hyphenation preferences). From meet cute ideas ranging from the classic to original, as well as unique ways to utilize the meet cute in your writing regardless of genre, the hosts have plenty to say about this trope that quite frankly never gets old. Join As...

Word of the week: Drapetomania In this episode the hosts discuss when, how, and why to hire an editor (or editors) to look over your book before publishing! From in-depth explanations of developmental and structural edits, line edits and content edits, to the difference between copy edits and proofreading, the hosts are here to give writers and new editors alike insight into the common terminology...

Word of the week: Novaturient In this episode the hosts discuss some of the best, unique, and most practical ways to prep for writing your book - even if you are a self-proclaimed and committed pantser. Regardless of where you fall on the plotter VS pantser spectrum of writers, this episode is full of helpful tips to keep you and your story moving, avoid writers block, and avoid those little incon...

Word of the week: Forelsket In this episode the hosts discuss "reader response theory" and other forms of literary criticism, both from an academic and common perspective, as well as some of the problems that arise when readers - particularly on BookTok - use this as the sole method for judging a book's value. Join Ash and Karissa as they discuss this hyper-nerdy way of talking abou...

Word of the week: Nebulochaotic In this episode the hosts discuss the concept of "clean" versus "explicit" writing, as well as the differences in writing strategy, craft, audience, and more. Join Ash and Karissa as they bring their personal and professional thoughts to the discussion, elaborating on what both types of writing can learn from the other, and the value of knowing a...

Word of the week: Insidious In this episode the hosts discuss the raging debate over what role if any AI should have in artistry, and whether AI writers will be the downfall of writing as we know it. Join Ash and Karissa as they discuss some of the most positive and dire predictions brought up by this debate, as well as their personal takes on AI books vs writers.  Don't forget to visit the N...

Word of the week: Monachopsis In this episode the hosts discuss montages as a literary device. From the training montage to the makeover montage and more, this cinematic device is used in the literary world to varying degrees of success. Join Ash and Karissa as they discuss the best and worst ways to use a montage in your writing. Don't forget to visit the NEW Scripturient Society WRITING GRO...

Word of the week: Concatenation In this episode the hosts discuss the infamous Bechdel Test (also known as the Bechdel-Wallace test), as well as when, where, and how to apply it to modern writing - if it should be applied at all. Join Ash and Karissa as they break down what truly makes for good representation of women and men alike in fiction across genres, and whether the Bechdel Test is still as...

Word of the week: Sciamachy In this episode the hosts discuss all things speculative fiction! From the technical definition of speculative fiction versus the more common definition, to the biggest subgenres including sci-fi, fantasy, horror, magical realism, alternate history, and more. Join Ash and Karissa as they talk speculative fiction, including hallmarks of the genre and subgenre, and how to...

Word of the week: Pulchritudinous In this episode the hosts discuss when and how to sprinkle in your characters' physical and non-physical descriptions without feeling inauthentic, interrupting the pace, or feeling too expositionary. From eye, hair, and skin color to personal attributes from bravery to cowardice and beyond, Ash and Karissa have plenty to say about some of the best (and worst)...