Rachael Waldburger & Ramsay Plautz

Words Are Hard

Arts EN ↓ 59 episodes

Words are hard. We’re here to help. Join Rachael Waldburger (editor, indie author, and English teacher) and her brother Ramsay Plautz (the extrovert in charge of keeping the conversation going) as they dive into writing and editing techniques. New episode weekly. Tangent-to-topic ratios will vary.

Author

Rachael Waldburger & Ramsay Plautz

Category

Arts

Latest episode

Jun 24, 2026

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Episodes

9. Dialogue 03.09.2024

In today's episode, we discuss mimes, buccaneers, and the various uses of dialogue in fiction.  For more tips, join Rachael's newsletter here or at www.rosedeneediting.com.

8. Outlining a Project 27.08.2024

Plotting? Pantsing? Plantsing? There's no right or wrong way to outline a project, but in this episode, we'll help you navigate some of the different styles and techniques you might use to plan out your next novel.   For more tips, join Rachael's newsletter here or at www.rosedeneediting.com.

7. Voice 20.08.2024

In this episode, we discuss strategies for developing and maintaining a consistent voice, low-budget cooking tips, and what makes Erming Henestway a distinctive writer.   For more tips, join Rachael's newsletter here or at www.rosedeneediting.com.

6. Developing Characters 13.08.2024

In this episode, we dive into the different types of character arcs, how to name your characters, and what happens when Ramsay forgets to prepare his fun fact.   For more tips, join Rachael's newsletter here or at www.rosedeneediting.com.

5. Worldbuilding 06.08.2024

Worldbuilding isn't just for fantasy and sci-fi writers! You need it in every story, and in this episode, we'll give you some ideas for how to worldbuild without info-dumping. Alternately: Ramsay lets out his inner Tolkien nerd, and we forget that Madison is not a port city.   For more writing tips, sign up for Rachael's editing newsletter here or at https://www.rosedeneediting.com .

4. Writing Sins 30.07.2024

There are several things writers are told to never, ever do—but it's not quite that simple. Ramsay learns the multiple functions of adverbs.   For more tips, join Rachael's newsletter here or at www.rosedeneediting.com.

3. Zombie Rules 23.07.2024

Have you ever been told you shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition? Don't start a sentence with a conjunction? Never split an infinitive? Turns out these aren't actual rules in English—they're Zombie Rules, which keep coming back even though they should be dead. We'll tell you all about them in this episode!   For more tips, join Rachael's newsletter here or at www.rosedeneediting.com.

2. Punctuation 16.07.2024

When was the semicolon first used? How can you use punctutation for more than its technical uses? What has Ramsay actually been using all these years when he thought he was using the Oxford Comma? All that and more in our second episode!   For more tips, join Rachael's newsletter here or at www.rosedeneediting.com.

1. Pilot 09.07.2024

Why is a first episode called a "pilot"? What should you include in the opening chapter of your story? What the heck is synesthesia? What's the difference between Tibetan and Mongolian throat singing? It's all right here in our very first episode! For more tips, join Rachael's newsletter here or at www.rosedeneediting.com.

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