The Scripturient Society

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down The Dark Elite YA fantasy series by Chloe Neill. This series includes the beloved magical boarding school trope and all manner of fun YA favorite plot devices. While not perfect, there is still plenty to learn and enjoy in this book. Join Karissa as she analyzes The Dark Elite , offering a review of what does and doesn't work...

Word of the week: Chelonian In this week's episode the hosts discuss the differences between a writer's style and voice, as well as discussing how to recognize the line between a stylistic choice and a true error or mistake in writing. Join Ash and Karissa as they dive into an analysis of writing style and voice, offering their thoughts, feelings, and general advice on the subject. Skipp...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down Don't Call the Wolf by Aleksandra Ross. In this dark YA fantasy, dragons reign and monsters take many forms. When the  queen of the forest begins losing her battle against the monster, she must partner with an unlikely ally to keep her citizens safe. Join Karissa as she analyzes Don't Call the Wolf , offering a review of...

Word of the week: Neophite In this week's episode the hosts discuss Nanowrimo - from common pitfalls and tips for success to funny anecdotes of their own naniwrimo experience, this is the unofficial manual to surviving this nanowrimo season! Join Ash and Karissa as they dive into nanowrimo prep and execution, offering their thoughts, feelings, and general advice on the subject. Skippers jump...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder. In this second installment of the YA fantasy series  Poison Study , Yelena faces new enemies, threats, and allies - and if she doesn't master her magic ability in a year, her life is forfeit.  Join Karissa as she analyzes Magic Study , offering a review of what does and doesn't work from a...

Word of the week: Colygraphia In this week's episode the hosts discuss the infamous "enemies to lovers" trope, from all of the best things about it to the common pitfalls that can make a story with otherwise great potential fall flat. From great examples to ideal burn speeds, relationship theories, and more, the hosts have plenty to say in this episode on what might be Ash's fa...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. This unique YA novel takes a look at teenage gun violence in the form of brief bursts of narrative verse as 15-year-old Will debates whether or not he is going to take revenge on the person who killed his brother. Join Karissa as she analyzes Long Way Down , offering a review of what does and doesn...

Word of the week: Sockdolager In this week's episode - the third and final installation of the pod's series on literary devices - the hosts discuss some of the most controversial, debatable, and trickiest to use literary devices, from analogy and pastiche to malapropismand innuendo. Which one are you the most interested in? Join Ash and Karissa as they dive into this super-nerd subject f...

Word of the week: Prolix In this week's episode the hosts discuss some of the weirdest and most obscure literary devices in this special second episode of a three-episode series on literary devices! Discussion ranges from antimetabole to antistrophe, epizeuxus, and non sequitur to pejoratives, zoomorphorism, and more! Which ones do you recognize? Join Ash and Karissa as they dive into this su...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down The Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis. This series includes the renowned science fiction books, Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength.  Join Karissa as she analyzes The Space Trilogy , offering a review of what does and doesn't work from a writer's perspective! Keep writing, everyone, and we'll s...

Word of the week: Bathetic In this week's episode the hosts discuss all their favorite literary devices! Discussion ranges from anaphora, metaphor, simile, and allegory, to symbolism, juxtaposition, puns, and other devices you might not even realize you're using! What's your favorite literary device? Join Ash and Karissa as they dive into this super-nerd subject for every writer, of...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down Paradise Lost   by John Milton. This fictional epic poem written in blank verse is responsible for a great deal of the imagery surrounding heaven, hell, and Lucifer's origin, and the fascinating phenomonen that happens when the world takes fiction for fact - despite being written in the 17th-century. Join Karissa as she analy...

Word of the week: Desideratum In this week's episode the hosts discuss all the best and worst of the FTL (Friends to Lovers) Trope in writing. While this trope pairs particularly well with the found family trope discussed in the pod's last episode, it can be applied in all kinds of scenarios and can offer deeper, more meaningful relationships and inherently higher stakes than some of the...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down Fantasticland  by Mike Bockoven. This YA novel is a gripping horror/crime/Lord of the Flies retelling that takes a unique and ominous look at the otherworldly isolationism of the online world - similar, perhaps, to that of a deserted island. Join Karissa as she analyzes Fantasticland , offering a review of what does and doesn&apos...

Word of the week: Aonaran In this week's episode the hosts discuss the ever-beloved "found family" trope, and how to best apply it in your books. Not only do the hosts cover which genres the found family trope is particularly useful and satisfying in, but they also cover the most important elements of the trope as well as their pet peeves when it isn't done so well. Join Ash an...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down Akarnae by Lynette Noni, this YA fantasy centers around a teenage girl who finds herself thrust into an enchanting world and a magical boarding school. This book is chocked full of many of the tropes we love - and some of the tropes we don't - including the mean girl trope, magical boarding school trope, and more. But how doe...

Word of the week: Phosphene In this week's episode the hosts discuss plot-driven stories VS character-driven stories, primarily how to tell the difference, know which one is your strength, as well as understanding the unique strengths and obstacles offered by both types of driving - plus a bonus method of story-driving Katherine would like to add to the docket. Join Ash and Karissa as they di...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco, a YA fantasy where magic runs strong in family and death isn't always the end, but witches who can revive the dead are not exactly acceptable. Join Karissa as she analyzes The Bone Witch , offering a review of what does and doesn't work from a writer's perspective! Keep writing, everyo...

In this week's episode the hosts are joined by special guest from That Pretentious Book Club, Kendall Shaw AKA Spoons Pallermo AKA The Duke to celebrate the pod's fiftieth episode! Join these wild writers as they discuss their best and worst WIPs, embarassing writer confessions, and more to keep you motivated and laughing through your day with all the writery content you need. Skippers j...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down the entire Talon saga by Julie Kagawa, a YA urban fantasy where dragons walk among humans and are secretly hunted by the soldiers of St. George. Join Karissa as she soars through each book in this series,   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: Anagapesis In this week's episode the hosts discuss sex scenes in writing - or rather - the lack thereof. Is less actually more when it comes to writing sex scenes? How do readers feel about it? How do the different approaches to writing sex scenes affect the impact of your story and your opportunities as an author building their platform? Join Ash and Karissa as they answer...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down Violet Made of Thorns  by Gina Chen. In this YA fantasy, morality and passion both exist in shades of gray, which can be both a benefit and a drawback from a literary angle. Karissa as she dives into Violet Made of Thorns, offering a review of what does and doesn't work from a writer's perspective! Keep writing, everyone...

Word of the week: Halfpace In this week's episode the hosts discuss the pros and cons of short series VS long series, as well as how to decide which type serves your story the best, and common pitfalls to watch out for when striving for a certain series length. Join Ash and Karissa as they take a look at best practices for series length, offering their thoughts, feelings, and general advice o...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter. This YA fantasy retelling is marked by a pretty notable difference from the original - zombies. In this modern take on Alice in Wonderland, Alice Bell must learn to fight the undead while deciding if she can trust an attractive and dangerous bad boy - something we know Karissa has strong feel...

Word of the week: Psithurism In this week's episode the hosts discuss all things settings, from where to draw inspiration when developing your setting to using your story's setting to set tone, and even how to specifically write your setting into your book without giving in to a setting dump. Join Ash and Karissa as they take a look at best practices for creating and writing settings, of...