Originality: Feh, Who Needs It?
OnRS Benedict talks to Stephen Mazur, Assistant Editor of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, about originality. How important is it, really?
‘Nine Lives to Wonder’ (1994) Is an Opium Dream of an Album
OnNine Lives to Wonder is an opium dream of an album. A shadow cast upon the wall. A message in a bottle hanging suspended in mid-air.
No More Heroes with JR Dawson
OnMuch of speculative literature focuses on superheroes and Chosen Ones. But what about ordinary people or flawed people who don’t save the world? Do they matter?
Guns: How to Feature Them in a Realistic Way
OnTons of stories feature guns, but they’re usually portrayed in a wildly unrealistic way. Nate Bethea of “What a Hell of a Way to Die” was kind enough to stop by to talk to us about what writers get wrong about firearms.
Men Writing Women (Badly)
OnR.S. Benedict and guest Meg talk about the creepy, objectifying, or just plain ridiculous way that all too many male authors write female characters.
Writing Mary Sues, or What Even IS a Mary Sue?
OnIn this episode, special guest Jennifer Albright of Have You Seen This? drops by to talk about Mary Sues, a term used to describe an overly-perfect female character created as a self-insertion wish fulfillment vehicle for the author.
The White Room, or Paying Attention to Sensory Details
OnIn this episode, learn a simple exercise that will help you cultivate your inner witness. It might even help with your anxiety, too.
Reed Gud, Part 2: Poetry, Literature in a Foreign Language, Nonfiction and Literary Criticism
OnIn this episode, we look at things other than fiction that a well-rounded writer should read—poetry, literature in a foreign language, nonfiction and literary criticism.
Reed Gud, Part 1, or Other Books Than ‘Harry Potter’ Exist: Fiction
OnIn order to Rite Gud, you’ve got to Reed Gud. In this episode, R.S. Benedict is joined by Gareth and Langdon of the Death Sentence Podcast.
How To Write Dark Humor Without Sounding Like a Total Sociopath
OnDo you like dark humor? Sure, we all do! But it can be tricky to write without coming off as an edgelord jerk — but R.S. Benedict tells you how!