The Scripturient Society

Word of the week: Blatherskite In this week's episode the hosts discuss the different types of book piracy and the legal, practical, and moral implications of each one, both for authors and readers. Join Ash and Karissa as they take a (painfully) honest look at this topic, while offering their thoughts, feelings, and general advice on the subject. Skippers jump to 28:40 Find us on social medi...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine finishes up the series she began on what exactly is wrong with the ACOTAR (A Court of Thorns and Roses) books by otherwise beloved author Sarah J. Maas. Keep an open mind and join Karissa once again as she analyzes what does or doesn't work in this fan-favorite series from a writer's perspective! Keep writing, everyone, and we'...

Word of the week: Crucible In this week's episode the hosts discuss the importance of giving your WIP (work-in-progress) a rest, as well as some different ways to do so without losing momentum. Join Ash and Karissa as they compare their different approaches to WIP-focus and naptimes, as well as their respective strategies for making sure writing remains a joy rather than a job (even if it&apo...

Word of the week: Oleaginous In this week's episode and in honor of Easter, the hosts discuss one of the most thematically important tropes of all, the resurrection trope. Join Ash and Karissa as they debate when and how the resurrection trope is best used, as well as when it might be better to avoid the trope altogether.  Bonus examples of some of the best and/or most creative uses of the tr...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down fan-favorite  Divergent by Veronica Roth. Expectations war with destiny  in the first book of one of this generation's most notable young adult dystopian series. Karissa as she analyzes what does or doesn't work in this book from a writer's perspective! Keep writing, everyone, and we'll see you on the next page...

Word of the week: Syzygy In this week's episode the hosts discuss arguably the biggest baddest foe a writer can face, and exactly what weapons can be used to bring it down; this episode is all about writer's block. Join Ash and Karissa as they do their best figure out both the cause and solution to a problem that every creator faces eventually! If you're looking for a way out of wri...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down Young Adult novel Undertow by Michael Buckley. This unique book plays with the Romeo-and-Juliet trope we all love, while bringing in an edge of the supernatural that YA fantasy readers love. Join Karissa as she analyzes this whirlpool of action and romance from a writer's perspective! Keep writing, everyone, and we'll se...

Word of the week: Intransigent In this week's episode the hosts discuss the big and small differences between their favorite genres - namely middle grade, young adult, and new adult fiction! Join a very exhausted Ash with sub-par audio and an always-on-the-ball Karissa as they pin down the best part of each genre, and do their best to predict changes for the New Adult genre in the coming year...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down utterly beloved middle grade books, A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. This tongue-in-cheek tale of three siblings and their tragic misadventures has captivated readers since the books hit the shelves. Join Karissa as she analyzes this fan-favorite from a writer's perspective! Keep writing, everyone, and we&apo...

Word of the week: Concinnity In this week's episode the hosts discuss some of the best monster tropes out there and how to write them in a way that stands out above the rest! From dragons and mermaids to angels, demons, fae, and even gods and goddesses, monsters/magical creatures play a massive role in fantasy writing, and the way those creatures are presented can make a huge impact on the ov...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down the time-honored murder mystery novel, The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie. Straying from her usual young adult and fantasy novels, join Karissa's foray into adult fiction as she analyzes this book from a writer's perspective. Keep writing, everyone, and we'll see you on the next page! Find us on social media @thescr...

Word of the week: Quiddity In this week's episode the hosts discuss some of the most common coping mechanisms used and habits developed by writers due to an unfortunate tradition of glamourizing self-destruction for artists. Join Ash and Karissa as they chat about how to recognize when a habit/coping mechanism is helping you versus hurting you, and how developing healthier habits can lead to...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down spicy fae sequel  A Court of Mist and Fury   by Sarah J. Maas from the perspective of a writer. Karissa has a lot to say about character consistency (or lackthereof) in this book, as well as some other elements that strengthen the argument that this fan-favorite by a beloved author might be a fun read, but might not be the highest...

Word of the week: Agelast In this week's episode the hosts discuss everything to do with verb tense, from rules of gramma to how, when, and why you can break them, as well as how to choose which tense best serves your book (i.e. past, present, or future). Grammar freaks (AKA Karissa's people) will particularly enjoy this episode, and writers who like to bend the rules a little (AKA Ash&a...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down spicy fae fan-favorite A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - from a writer's perspective! Be warned, Karissa has some strong opinions about this one.  Join our intrepid host as she dives into what makes this book great or not-so-great from the perspective of writing as a craft. Keep writing, everyone, and we'll...

Word of the week: Lacuna In this week's episode the hosts discuss how, when, and why to recap what happened in your last book. This episode focuses specifically on series as the hosts break down what it is about those exposition-heavy first chapters that loses readers, and how to avoid it by delivering your previous book's summary in sneaky, roundabout ways. Skippers jump to 33:17 Find u...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down Nocturna by Maya Motayne, the first book in A Forgery of Magic series. This Young Adult fantasy takes place in a Latinx-inspired fantasy world, with a unique magic system to further set it apart from other books in the genre. Join Karissa as she takes this opportunity to dig into the writers' side of reading. Keep writing, ev...

Word of the week: Bissextus In this week's episode the hosts discuss what it takes to write a truly strong female character. From the concept of physical strength to emotional strength and more, the hosts work out how to utilize and break free from societal realities to write female characters that truly inspire. Skippers jump to 18:02 Find us on social media @thescripturientsociety Check out...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down Nevernight by Jay Kristoff, an epic fantasy rife with assassins, set against a complex backdrop of high-stakes political/religious power dynamics. Join Karissa as she takes this opportunity to dig into the writers' side of reading. Keep writing, everyone, and we'll see you on the next page! Find us on social media @thesc...

Word of the week: Coruscate In this week's episode the hosts discuss everything to do with book-to-movie-to-television adaptations, from pet peeves, to favorite approaches, changes they wish to see, and even advice for writers who hope to see their own stories told on the big screen some day! Skippers jump to 19:45 Find us on social media @thescripturientsociety Check out our sister podcast T...

Hey there, writers! In this special Valentine's minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down Stolen by Lucy Christopher, a dark YA book that takes a look at the boundary between love and obsession - and the idea of whether or not the right situation can make someone fall in love. Join Karissa as she takes this opportunity to dig into the writers' side of reading. Keep writing, everyone, and w...

Word of the week:  Baisemain In honor of Valentine's Day, in this week's episode the hosts discuss how to write a compelling love interest, as well as what pitfalls to avoid, and how to draw on real life to craft the most universal element of any story in any genre - love. Skippers jump to 24:13 Find us on social media @thescripturientsociety Check out our sister podcast That Pretentious...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Steifvater (bestselliong author of The Raven Cycle ). This dark fantasy is heavy with themes of family and double-edged miracles, and offers plenty of opportunities to dig into the writers' side of reading. Keep writing, everyone, and we'll see you on the next page! Find us on social medi...

Word of the week: Divagate In this week's episode, the hosts discuss how to incorporate the senses into your writing in an intentional way, as well as what purposes the senses can serve in storytelling - you may be surprised by the answer. Skippers jump to 29:04 Find us on social media @thescripturientsociety Check out our sister podcast That Pretentious Book Club for bookish comedy content!...

Hey there, writers! In this minisode, Karissa/Katherine breaks down the Fable/Namesake duology by Adrienne Young. Immediately recognizable from the eye-catching covers, this nautical, survivalist fantasy series is considered a must-read by many YA fiction devotees. Keep writing, everyone, and we'll see you on the next page! Find us on social media @thescripturientsociety Check out our sister...