The Scripturient Society

Word of the week: Bailiwick In this episode the hosts discuss the beloved and time-honored hidden power trope - especially as it relates to Young Adult fantasy and science fiction writing! From magical awakenings to genetic modifications, there's no limit to the strange and amazing powers your characters can use to change their world in big and small ways. Join Ash and Karissa as they discuss...

Word of the week: Habromania In this episode the hosts discuss dialect, accents, and dialectical writing - including favorite and least favorite examples! Have you ever wondered how to write an accent or dialect that sounds authentic? So have the hosts! Join Ash and Karissa as they discuss the pros, cons, and uses of dialectical writing! Don't forget to visit the NEW Scripturient Society WRIT...

Word of the week: Poltroon In this episode the hosts discuss all the best (and maybe one of the worst) literary devices from epic poetry! From epithets to invoking the muses and beyond, there's plenty to be learned from the epic poetry that began some of our best storytelling traditions. Looking for a way to make your writing feel new and fresh? Maybe the answers are in the past... Join Ash a...

Word of the week: Cicerone In this episode the hosts discuss the beloved trope of "the secret heir" this could include secret royalty, secret heiresses, or just about any identity secret that has to do with your character(s) parentage! Whether using this trope as a premise for your story or as a fun twist to make your readers gasp, there are plenty of ways to approach the secret heir tro...

Word of the week: Farrago In this episode the hosts discuss what exactly a "symbol" is in the literary sense, as well as the difference between literary symbols, motifs, and how/when/why to use them in your book or series! Join the hosts as they discuss some of the most overused and original symbols in contemporary fiction, as well as fun ways to explore symbols in your own book! Don&apo...

Word of the week: Brontide In this episode the hosts discuss the flashback-by-trial trope, also lovingly referred to as an "active flashback"  and many other descriptions in this shorter-than-usual episode. In this discussion, the hosts cover when, why, and how to use the flashback-by-trial phenomenon, as well as some genre-specific strategies to send your characters into a meaningful fl...

Word of the week: Mumpsimus In this episode the hosts discuss dark haired love interests, forced proximity, and the Liam Stewart-Kaz Brekker scale of moral grayness! From iconic romantic tropes to tropes that can be useful for peeling away the layers of any morally gray character, Ash and Karissa have plenty to say about writing morally gray characters your readers will love! Don't forget to...

Word of the week: Parvenu In this episode the hosts discuss the tricky-yet-extremely-important topic of writing from the perspective of the opposite gender! Whether you're a dude writing a lady or vice versa, there are certain elements to keep in mind regarding dialogue, prose, and more that can help to create an authentic character rather than an idealistic-at-best-offensive-at-worst depicti...

Word of the week: Internecine In this episode the hosts discuss some of the most common crutch words, filler words, as well as the problems they pose and how to replace the words that detract from your story with options that communicate your story the way it deserves to be told. As a bonus, listeners will also learn about the hosts' most common filler and crutch words in  writing - and they...

Word of the week: Apricity In this episode the hosts discuss some of the most iconic character arcs and how to write them - specifically the revenge arc and the redemption arc. From trademarks of these character arcs to powerful catalysts that get them rolling, Ash and Karissa have plenty to say about how, when, why, and with which characters these arcs are best served. Don't forget to visit...

Word of the week: Eigengrau In this week's episode the hosts discuss the subtle yet important difference between a topic and theme in your writing, as well as how to use them both to your advantage. From ideas for developing or identifying existing themes to practical tips for strengthening themes in your book and/or series, the hosts have plenty to say on this topic... Until next week, story...

Word of the week: Armamentarium In this episode the hosts are joined by special guest author and host of popular RPG podcast Thornvale - AKA none other than Susannah Ailene Lewis! This week the hosts grill Susannah about the merits and challenges of adapting one story into numerous media forms, from screenplays to books to actual-play RPG podcasts and back again! Join the society as they dive into...

Word of the week: Panjandrum In this week's episode the hosts ring in the new year with a discussion about one of their all-time favorite tropes - forced proximity! This trope never gets old and is beloved for a reason, both for its versatility in the ways it can be applied and the amazing potential it has for developing both plot and character! Join Ash and Karissa as they dive into the topi...

Welcome to Episode #67 of The Scripturient Society and  Season #5 Episode #3 of That Pretentious Book Club! Join sister podcasts and Story Sirens Studio productions The Scripturient Society and That Pretentious Book Club in this second annual Christmas party for readers, writers, and story nerds of all varieties! From ridiculous bookish madlibs to an even more unhinged chain story game than last y...

Word of the week: Seriatum Bouncing off last week's topic, in this episode the hosts discuss the difference between a protagonist and a hero. From moral alignment requirements to whether one is better than the other, understanding the nature of your characters is crucial to writing authentic people your readers can relate to.  Join Ash and Karissa as they dive into the topic of protagonists v...

Word of the week: Bombinate In this week's episode the hosts discuss the difference between an antagonist and a villain - as well as how to spot if your book is lacking one or the other! From moral alignment to different genre and audience expectations, antagonists and villains are some of the most crucial elements to an engaging plot and authentic character struggles. Join Ash and Karissa as...

Word of the week: Latibule In this week's episode the hosts discuss spoiler-free marketing strategies for authors old and new, self-published and traditional! With the more recent focus on tropes , it's become a slippery slope of how much to reveal about your book without spoiling contents of the plot. Join Ash and Karissa as they dive into the topic of spoiler-free marketing, offering t...

Hey there, writers! Karissa/Katherine will be temporarily taking a hiatus from the Katherine's Corner minisode series to focus on her own writing. But don't worry! The Scripturient Society will still be releasing weekly episodes every Friday as always! Don't forget to follow us on social media and reach out to let us know what you're reading/writing! Keep writing, everyone, and...

Word of the week: Yclept In this week's episode the hosts discuss how to choose the best names for your characters. From keeping genre expectations in mind to looking for inspiration in unlikely sources, the hosts believe naming characters is an underrated art that can actually say a lot about your character and their background. Join Ash and Karissa as they dive into how to name characters i...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down the famous YA middle-grade fantasy, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. When siblings Meg and Charles Wallace are visited by an unusual stranger on a dark and stormy night, it becomes clear there is more to their father's disappearance than even their mother first believed. Join Karissa as she analyzes one of the mos...

Word of the week: Apotheosis In this week's episode the hosts discuss the big, the bad, the arguably most intimidating task a writer faces - the query letter. From breaking down all the elements that need to be included in a query letter, the rules that cannot be broken, and how to find flexibility in the inflexible to make your story shine, the hosts have plenty to say on this topic, from pe...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down YA fantasy Everlelss by Sara Holland. This story involves high-stakes drama, a fascinating magic system, and unique world-building that is easily worth a second look. Join Karissa as she analyzes Everless , offering a review of what does and doesn't work from a writer's perspective! Keep writing, everyone, and we'll...

Word of the week: Noctiphany In this week's episode the hosts discuss all things word count, from average genre word counts to strategies for increasing or decreasing your word count without compromising your artistic integrity. Join Ash and Karissa as they dive into word count and the endless debate over how much it does or doesn't matter as a hobbyist or career writer, offering their t...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down YA paranormal fantasy Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake. This book offers a unique take on the genre, with ghost hunts, horrific backstories, and a tangle of curses that make for a plot that combines intrigue, substance, and terror. Join Karissa as she analyzes Anna Dressed in Blood , offering a review of what does and doesn&...

Word of the week: Horripilation In this week's episode the hosts discuss all things time travel when it comes to writing. Whether you're incorporating time travel into your fantasy WIP, sci-fi, or a combination, the hosts discuss what to keep in mind when writing with a trope as complicated as time travel - a feat which can confuse the best of authors. Join Ash and Karissa as they dive i...