Write-Handed

Join cohosts AJ and Kyle on this week's episode of Write-Handed as they travel back in time through David McCullough’s historical narrative 1776 . In the year of the USA's 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, there is no better time to revisit the gritty, grueling reality of America's founding year. Book Review: We share our thoughts on McCullough's ability to human...

Is it a gentle poke at human silliness, or a biting attack on society? This week on Write-Handed , cohosts AJ and Kyle break into the sharp, witty, and occasionally monstrous world of Satire . If you've ever wondered how writers weaponize humor to challenge the status quo, this episode is your ultimate guide. What We Cover In This Episode: The Big Three Types of Satire: Horatian: Gentle, playful,...

In this episode of Write-Handed , hosts AJ and Kyle travel through the bleak, ash-covered wasteland of Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Road . We look at what happens to language, morality, and the human spirit in a post-apocalyptic, dystopian wasteland where everything has been burned to the ground. Would you be one of the few to carry the torch? Key Literary Themes Explored Lo...

Why are we so utterly fascinated by the grim, the macabre, and the morally gray? This week on Write-Handed , AJ and Kyle explore Dark Themes across literature, history, and pop culture. We are delving into how different cultures process death, the thin line between scientific discovery and horrific creation. We also discuss the concept of absolute evil and how it is weaponized in narrative suspens...

Join Hosts by AJ and Kyle as they go over all things grammar. Yes! We are judging you not so silently . We’re here to serve and protect the English language—one comma splice at a time. Main Points Redundant Phrases: VIN, PIN, ATM etc.. Mispronounced Words: Laughing at and correcting the words people constantly butcher. Homophones Vs Homonyms: Kyle still doesn’t know. Common Grammar Mistakes: Break...

This week on Write-Handed , AJ and Kyle dive deep into the way color is used in storytelling. From the dark psychological shadows of gothic horror, to the vibrant decaying imagery of the Blues Age, we are breaking down how authors use the full spectrum in their craft. New episodes every See you NEXT Tuesday! Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, or your favorite platform. Contact us: Email...

In today’s episode, we dive deep into Toni Morrison’s 1987 masterpiece, Beloved . This isn't just a ghost story, it is an American classic that forces us to look squarely into the psychological wreckage left behind by slavery. To fully understand the weight of Sethe’s journey, we break down the history that shaped the novel, the prestigious award that cemented its legacy, and the complex literary...

Dive beneath the surface of Cold War intrigue as we explore how The Hunt for Red October made the journey from Tom Clancy’s breakout techno‑thriller to one of the most iconic submarine films ever put on screen. This episode unpacks the creative decisions that shaped the 1990 movie adaptation—what it kept, what it changed, and our thoughts on the major plot points. AJ gets up close and personal wit...

In this episode of Write-Handed , hosts AJ and Kyle break down one of the most misunderstood concepts in the English language: irony. We explore the three major types of irony you encounter in literature, writing, and daily life. We explain why pop culture song "Ironic," performed by Alanis Morissette, is not actually ironic? The Three Major Types of Irony 1. Situational Irony Definition: When the...

Would you travel thousands of miles into an active war zone just to buy your childhood buddies a beer? In 1967, John "Chickie" Donohue did exactly that. This week, we are diving deep into the unvarnished, stranger-than-fiction memoir The Greatest Beer Run Ever by John "Chick" Donohue and J.T. Molloy, and comparing it to the star-studded Peter Farrelly film adaptation. Grab a cold one as we break d...

In 1960, legendary American author John Steinbeck realized he had lost touch with the very country he wrote about. His solution? A 10,000-mile road trip across America in a custom camper truck named Rosinante. But he didn’t go alone. In this episode, we dive into Steinbeck’s classic travelogue, Travels with Charley: In Search of America. We explore the shifting landscape of a nation on the brink o...

For Mother's Day, we are diving deep into the 2012 epistolary novel by Maria Semple’s, "Where’d You Go, Bernadette," and Richard Linklater’s 2019 film adaptation starring Cate Blanchett. Character Bernadette Fox is a revolutionary architect, a reluctant Seattleite, and a mother on the verge of a nervous breakdown. The book and film merge, forming a picture told through "paper trails," and poignant...

PAYCHECK A podcast contrasting Philip K. Dick’s 1953 short story “Paycheck” with the 2003 John Woo film adaptation, highlighting the shift from a cerebral, dystopian puzzle to a high-octane action thriller. Key points to touch upon include the protagonist's motivation, the nature of the "trinkets," and the ideological differences between the two versions. Paycheck: From Dystopian Dread to John Woo...

Dive into the heart of storytelling with our podcast on literary conflict. Whether it’s an internal struggle , such as a lone survivor battling the elements, a hero wrestling with their own conscience, or it’s an external war being waged as a societal revolution, conflict is the heartbeat of literature. Join cohosts AJ (a scholar with a mind for all things creative writing) and Kyle (AJ’s sidekick...

Along with a brief history of the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo, AJ and Kyle delve into Sandra Cisneros’s A House on Mango Street. This novel comprised of coming-of-age vignettes, explores themes of identity, culture, community, and what “home” really means to a young teen, Esperanza Cordero. This work highlights the Mexican-American experience and the process of finding your own literary voice. K...

Welcome to Write-Handed, with author AJ Knight and Kyle, a space where we invite you to embark on a literary journey with us. Whether you're a passionate reader, an aspiring writer, or someone who simply loves the power of a well-told story, Write-Handed is your new home for all things narrative. In our varied episodes, we will dive into: Literary Terms & Techniques: Ever wondered how an autho...