Needs More Words
44 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingA podcast about writing and reading, because we're all stuck on something. Hosted by Vicki Martin and Margaret Hanson.
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Episodes
#41 - Tropes
May 06, 2022 15:16 - 53 minutes - 35.8 MBIn this episode, we discuss tropes we love, tropes we don't love, and how tropes are useful in our own writing. Also, apologies for the sound of Vicki's chair throughout the episode - she'll be finding a new place to sit for the next one (which will hopefully go up in a more timely manner too!) Links: - TV Tropes: https://tvtropes.org/ Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords Check out our website: needsmorewords.com Emai...
#40 - Writing Goals 2022
March 15, 2022 02:32 - 44 minutes - 11.2 MBWe check in on our 2021 writing goals, set some new ones for 2022 and tell you all about the Needs More Rainbow reading challenge! Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords Check out our website: needsmorewords.com Email us: [email protected]
#39 - Favourite Books of 2021
January 15, 2022 01:55 - 47 minutes - 34.3 MBIn an annual tradition (albeit a bit later than usual), we discuss our favourite fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels/comics that we read in 2021. Also be sure to check out Margaret's short story, "Frankenstein was the Scientist," in issue #20 of Polar Borealis: http://polarborealis.ca/currentback-issues/ Links: - Goodreads list of our favourite books: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/171440.Needs_More_Words_Favourite_Books - Rogue Podron Mission 20-11: Head-tail Etiquett...
#38 - Q&A & NaNoWriMo
December 24, 2021 05:08 - 1 hour - 15.5 MBWe answer listener questions and talk about NaNoWriMo... and then post the episode weeks after NaNo ends
#37 - Writing Prompts (aka the Cursed Episode)
September 30, 2021 13:41 - 42 minutes - 28.3 MBAfter an unexpectedly long break, we're back with an episode all about writing prompts: what they are and how we approach using them. Also, it's the last week to get questions in for our Q&A episode. Links: NYC Midnight: https://www.nycmidnight.com/ Furious Fiction: https://www.writerscentre.com.au/furious-fiction/ The First Line Literary Journal: https://www.thefirstline.com/ Story Plot Generator Pro: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andromo.dev17163.app230704 ...
#36 - Goodreads
September 02, 2021 01:35 - 45 minutes - 12.4 MBWe discuss how we use review website Goodreads to enhance our reading life
#35 - Secondary Characters
August 01, 2021 14:54 - 58 minutes - 40.5 MBOur look at characters ends and we've saved the best for last: the secondary characters. Also, remember to send in questions for the upcoming Q&A episode! Links: Music in the opening is Secondary Characters, from the musical [title of show]: https://youtu.be/tt5xuqiXlAY TV Tropes: Five-Man Band: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FiveManBand Trope Talk: Five Man Band: https://youtu.be/lmmNuic_4tQ Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast ...
#34 - Antagonists
July 15, 2021 02:48 - 55 minutes - 15 MBFollowing up on our protagonist episode, we talk about the antagonists who oppose them! LINKS The Parking Level: http://www.allworldswayfarer.com/story10/ The Wrong Counter: https://yubsie.tumblr.com/post/655922097031397376/the-a-new-dawn-wrong-counter Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords Check out our website: needsmorewords.com Email us: [email protected]
#33 - Protagonists
June 26, 2021 01:03 - 48 minutes - 32.4 MBOur three part series on characters kicks off with... the protagonist!
#32 - Writing Slumps
June 04, 2021 01:19 - 34 minutes - 9.54 MBWe discuss writing slumps, why we don't like them and strategies to get out of them. LINKS: https://maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/sometimes-writers-block-is-really-depression/ Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords Check out our website: needsmorewords.com
#31 - Canada Reads 2021
May 15, 2021 02:15 - 37 minutes - 25 MBWe discuss our thoughts on this year's battle of the Canadian books. LINKS Canada Reads: https://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords Check out our website: needsmorewords.com
#30 - Star Wars
April 01, 2021 23:31 - 1 hour - 18.6 MBIn which we are a Star Wars podcast! Sidways's video on Rogue One's music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGVqPP-52No And the trouble with TRoS's music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_8-dWSLDWI Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords Check out our website: needsmorewords.com
#29 - Writing Challenges
March 11, 2021 02:04 - 31 minutes - 30.6 MBWe discuss some of the things we don't like to write about and how to do it anyway when we have to. Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords Check out our website: needsmorewords.com
# 28 - On the Naming of Characters (or Sometimes Cats)
February 20, 2021 01:26 - 35 minutes - 9.74 MBWe discuss different approaches and challenges for giving all those fictional people names so they aren't all Man #1. LINKS: Behind the Name: https://www.behindthename.com/ Nameberry: https://nameberry.com/ Last name generator: https://www.name-generator.org.uk/last/ Medieval Name Database: http://dmnes.org/ Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords Check out our website: needsmorewords.com
#27 - Favourite Writing Tools
January 30, 2021 01:56 - 38 minutes - 10.6 MBWe discuss some of our favourite tools that we use in our writing! LINKS Scrivener: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview Evernote: https://evernote.com/ 4theWords: https://4thewords.com referral code: NLHSZ23062 Grammarly: https://app.grammarly.com/ Validation (aka AO3): https://archiveofourown.org Buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
#26 - 2021 Writing Goals
January 14, 2021 14:20 - 24 minutes - 23.4 MBWe celebrate a new year and say good riddance to 2020 by setting some writing goals.
#25 - Favourite Books of 2020
December 24, 2020 23:14 - 41 minutes - 11.1 MBIn an annual tradition, we discuss our favourite fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels/comics that we read in 2020.
#24 - NYC Midnight Round 3
December 11, 2020 22:34 - 30 minutes - 29.5 MBIn this episode, we talk about two stories we wrote using the same NYC Midnight prompt: comedy / trophy room / a manual. Links: Usability Test by Vicki: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EXuvsavTPaGPZMozjpmxNG_yDMrrbT4nI_bj4Et0FmY/edit?usp=sharing Isn’t It Neat by Margaret: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fJt9Iydzi6_YOWH6QUhf3aZHvpmGjC8XkGzoPzbJmTo/edit Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
#23 - First Drafts
November 24, 2020 03:16 - 34 minutes - 9.41 MBWe talk about our process for first drafts in short and long fiction and all the terrible things we do to get something worth revising. LINKS: KoFi: kofi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
#22 - Bird by Bird
November 06, 2020 02:33 - 43 minutes - 11.8 MBWe take a look at classic craft book Bird by Bird and discussion what advice did and didn't work for us. LINKS Bird by Bird: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12543.Bird_by_Bird
#21 - NaNoWriMo Prep
October 16, 2020 12:34 - 36 minutes - 22.4 MBIn a less super-sized episode, we discuss our projects for NaNoWriMo 2020 and what prep work we're doing leading up to November. Links: 9 Point Plot Dot: https://blog.nanowrimo.org/post/149858948126/plot-doctoring-9-steps-to-build-a-strong-plot Vicki’s character sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OsrL9BxKibOX8cjpzUua5TkHEiYN_RpEkWhZ3Ux-Frg/edit?usp=sharing The History Chicks Episode 9: Gilded Age Heiresses: http://thehistorychicks.com/shownotes-episode-nine-gilded-age-heir...
#20 - Our Genres: Science Fiction
October 01, 2020 14:00 - 49 minutes - 13.5 MBWe take a look at another of our favourite genres: science fiction. Surprise, we have a lot to say about this one too! Links: Support us on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
#19 - Canada Reads 2020
September 10, 2020 01:33 - 36 minutes - 23.8 MBWe discuss Canada Reads 2020, the annual battle of the books run by CBC. Links: - Canada Reads: https://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads - Trailer for Trickster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IHLDWHxSLw
#18 - Deep Dive: The Rock Garden
August 13, 2020 01:35 - 29 minutes - 9.87 MBWe take a close look at "The Rock Garden", a short story written by Vicki. LINKS: The story: https://victoriakmartin.com/the-rock-garden/ NYC Midnight: http://nycmidnight.com/ YeahWrite https://yeahwrite.me/ Diefenbunker Museum: https://diefenbunker.ca/en/ How To Cake It: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvM1hVcRJmVWDtATYarC0KA Bernadette Banner: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSHtaUm-FjUps090S7crO4Q
#17 - Anthologies
July 12, 2020 03:40 - 38 minutes - 8.46 MBWe discuss anthologies as a good way to read short fiction and a market for publishing it. LINKS 4 the Words: https://4thewords.com/ (use referral code NLHSZ23062) We Shall Be Monsters: https://renaissance-107765.square.site/product/we-shall-be-monsters/52?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=2 Jennifer Lee Rossman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenLRossman Horror Tree (market listing): https://horrortree.com/ Papercat Press (market roundup): https://papercatpress.com/
#16 - Adaptations
June 26, 2020 02:46 - 40 minutes - 16.4 MBWe're back from a bit of a break with a new episode, looking in the art and sometimes horror of adaptations. Links: Lost in Adaption by Dominic Noble: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPtiXdv7RoU8IkrJeNY73qw Lindsay Ellis' review of The Hobbit, part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTRUQ-RKfUs&t=1970s Lessons from the Screenplay, Arrival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTxvzkwVsQE&t=523s Memories from my TV/Movie Experience by Rick Riordan: https://rickriordan.com/2018/11/memori...
#15 - Where We Get Our Ideas
May 21, 2020 01:10 - 26 minutes - 8.59 MBWe tackle the classic writing question of "Where do you get your ideas?", complete with looking at how an idea evolves into a story. LINKS Renaissance Virtual Convention: https://pressesrenaissancepress.ca/events/renaissance-virtual-conference/ Evernote: https://evernote.com/ Old World: https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/product/old-world/home Support us on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
#14 - Our Genres: Fantasy
May 07, 2020 00:04 - 38 minutes - 27.5 MBWe take a deep dive into one of our favourite genres: fantasy. Apparently it's something we have a lot to say about. Links: Hello Future Me: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFQMO-YL87u-6Rt8hIVsRjA Artifexian: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeh-pJYRZTBJDXMNZeWSUVA
#13 - We Don't Have a Plan (Pantsing)
April 23, 2020 03:27 - 27 minutes - 5.75 MBIn the second part of our examination of plotting vs pantsing, we discuss how things go off outline. LINKS The Pants Song from Be More Chill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1QZgHtYAgQ Stephenie Meyer Discusses Jacob: https://stepheniemeyer.com/the-books/new-moon/new-moon-the-story/
#12 - We Have a Plan (Plotting)
April 09, 2020 01:09 - 28 minutes - 21.3 MBThe first of a two-part look at plotting vs pantsing. In this episode, the dream of having an outline lives. Links: What kind of a plotting method will work best for you and your story?: https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/5d2513fa4fc6b400143e9004# How Three-Act Screenplays Work (and why it matters): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0QO7YuKKdI Defining an Act: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j56WPBaiPYQ The Hero's Journey: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey Nine Dot ...
#12 - Plotting
April 09, 2020 01:09 - 28 minutes - 21.3 MBThe first of a two-part look at plotting vs pantsing. In this episode, the dream of having an outline lives. Links: What kind of a plotting method will work best for you and your story?: https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/5d2513fa4fc6b400143e9004# How Three-Act Screenplays Work (and why it matters): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0QO7YuKKdI Defining an Act: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j56WPBaiPYQ The Hero's Journey: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey Nine Dot ...
#11 - Editing in the Time of COVID
March 27, 2020 03:03 - 31 minutes - 16.2 MBWe discuss the ins and outs of editing both your own work and that of other people. LINKS: Renaissance Press: https://pressesrenaissancepress.ca/ Chocolate River Publishing: https://www.chocolateriver.ca/ Canadian English: https://public.oed.com/blog/canadian-english/ Grammarly: https://www.grammarly.com/
#10 - Books That Influenced our Writing
March 05, 2020 02:43 - 23 minutes - 11.6 MBWe take a look at our formative years to discuss the books and authors who influenced our writing up until today. LINKS: Paul Barton: https://www.youtube.com/user/PaulBartonPiano/featured
#9 - Fan Fiction
February 20, 2020 01:51 - 24 minutes - 14.6 MBA deep dive into our experiences writing and reading fan fiction. Also exciting news from Margaret! Links: Brave New Girls anthology: http://bravenewgirls.weebly.com/ Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/
Fan Fiction
February 20, 2020 01:51 - 24 minutes - 14.6 MBA deep dive into our experiences writing and reading fan fiction. Also exciting news from Margaret! Links: Brave New Girls anthology: http://bravenewgirls.weebly.com/ Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/
#8 - [Title goes here]
January 29, 2020 23:58 - 25 minutes - 12.8 MBA discussion about titles: what makes a good one and why is coming up with one so hard?
[Title goes here]
January 29, 2020 23:58 - 25 minutes - 12.8 MBA discussion about titles: what makes a good one and why is coming up with one so hard?
#7 - Weird Things We've Researched
January 16, 2020 01:57 - 21 minutes - 10.6 MBWe discuss all the strange things that we've had to research over the course of writing. LINKS: Quackery: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33572516-quackery?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=tnU6X0C4OT&rank=1 Penguin knees: https://www.neaq.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/X-RAYS-KNEES-737x900.jpg?fbclid=IwAR0psQ0oKFE_fg4P7hMytIka-7vVc2A4HQmb22T1u-SF4mJJcHo8IiN94gs
#6 - Favourite Books of 2019
December 19, 2019 03:47 - 21 minutes - 10.7 MBWe discuss our favourite fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels that we read in 2019. LINKS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJoeGEEu5L4
#5 - Strategies for When You're Stuck
December 06, 2019 04:02 - 16 minutes - 12.4 MBToday we're talking about different strategies you can use when you're stuck on something and need more words. LINKS: Go Left by Kari Maaren: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiqWn_DwYEM
#4 - NaNoWriMo
November 14, 2019 05:09 - 19 minutes - 9.76 MBIt's November and we're both attempting National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)! In this episode, we discuss the different approaches we're taking to the challenge and the projects that we're writing for it. LINKS: NaNoWriMo: https://nanowrimo.org/ Maple Cake Recipe: https://bluenosebaker.wordpress.com/2016/04/17/omas-maple-cake/
#3 - CAN-CON 2019
October 31, 2019 00:45 - 22 minutes - 21.3 MBAfter attending CAN-CON 2019, we took advantage of the fact that we were together to record an episode about the conference and the Aurora Awards. With special, unplanned appearances by our guest host, Imriel the Great Dane. Links: CAN-CON: https://can-con.org/ The Aurora Awards: https://prixaurorawards.ca/ CanLit by Kari Maaren: https://youtu.be/IhjO-sAvLm8 Queen's Wish: The Conqueror: http://spidweb.com/queenswish/index.html Orphan Black: The Next Chapter: https://www.serialbox.com/serials/...
#2 - NYC Midnight Flash Fiction
October 17, 2019 00:52 - 17 minutes - 9.1 MBWe both recently took part in the NYC Midnight Flash Fiction Challenge. In this episode we discuss our history with the contest and our process for the most recent challenge. Links: The NYC Midnight Challenge: http://www.nycmidnight.com/ Vicki's story (Three Hour Tour): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IqrjwA_Cp_iAoPEPfX21n34VAzmVbss-UZ_AqWXdPX4/edit?fbclid=IwAR2VSVW6soJnxJALWjM0gNXFKBvX1iGB4Q7oDQSk2I9fUBFCrJT0SSCTDx4 Margaret's Story (Nostalgia): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sRI5Ry...
#1 - Introduction
October 11, 2019 01:29 - 7 minutes - 3.66 MBThe first episode of Needs More Words, a podcast about writing and reading, because we're all stuck on something. In this episode, we introduce ourselves and what this podcast is all about. Links: Needs More Words' Twitter: https://twitter.com/needsmorewords Margaret's Twitter: https://twitter.com/mhanson42 Vicki's Twitter: https://twitter.com/victoriakmartin