Brew & Ink Podcast

Spider Man is back! Does whatever a spider can. Join Steven and Britt as they discuss the latest Spider Man movie, Far From Home, what they liked and didn't like and the writing of the movie, of course. Also, hear their thoughts on the Marvel/Sony issue and how they knew it would all work out in the end. Warning! Lots of Spoilers!

What is a multi author project? With the success of Marvel and other extended universes, more authors are writing together or in the same world. Join author MB Mooney in his interview with two of the authors in the Beyond the VEIL series, Lynn Donovan and Tom Bruno. They explain a little about the new series and what it's like to write as part of a group. Then Steven shares Parleys, episode 9 of the Singularity story. Listen and vote for what happens next!  

Are tropes always bad? Writers deal with genres, and each has their own list of tropes. Writers Steven and Britt discuss what tropes are, some famous ones, and how to use them without being predictable and cliche. Then Britt shares The Brig, Ch 8 of Singularity. Listen and vote!

Writers must learn the principle of Show Don't Tell. From novels to TV, movies, and plays, all writers need to learn the amazing power of Show Don't Tell. Zena Lowe has years of experience as an actress and screenwriter and is passionate about telling amazing stories. With interesting and powerful examples from powerful movies, listen to this great conversation about the power of Show Don't Tell.

Don't give up. In every great success story, the person could give up at least once ... or several times. Why is resilience necessary? And how can we keep going? Listen to the discussion. Then listen as Steven shares Aboard the Slagtree, chapter 7 of Singularity. Listen and go to FB and vote!  

Agents and publishers ask about a platform, but what is borrowed platform? Listen to the discussion between our hosts about networking and how to use connections and support to increase our platform numbers. Then author MB Mooney shares The Pirates, the next part of our Singularity story. Listen and vote for what Captain Bruce will do next!!

Amish Vampires! Check out this great interview with Author Kerry Neitz about how he got into writing Sci Fi and the importance of resiliency in a writing career. Oh, and how to deal with Amish Vampires in Space.

As writers, we make promises and setups that we need to "payoff" if we want to leave our readers with a great story. How is it done well? After the discussion, listen as Steven shares Survivors, the next chapter in Singularity. Listen and vote for what should happen in the next chapter!

What does it take to put together a writers group? They can be great or frustrating. What are the pitfalls? Steven and Britt discuss the negatives to avoid in forming and developing a writers group. Then Britt shares Colony, Ch4 of the Sci Fi adventure Singularity. Listen and VOTE on FB for the next episode!

We are always trying to improve our writing with better skills and advice and tips. What are some of the top writing tips we've received? Steven and Britt discuss their top two each, advice that changed their writing journeys. And then Steven shares Singularity Chapter 2, Tychomatter. Listen and vote for what you think should happen next!

Join Steven and Britt as they discuss and dissect the phenomenon that is Stranger Things and give their review of the recent third season and why it is so meta for Britt.

What is the power of nostalgia in our stories? Some shows and movies tug on our heart chords to get us hooked into their characters and media. Why is nostalgia such a great way to do that? Listen to the discussion and then the exciting chapter two of Singularity - Blue Boy. Listen and vote for what should happen next!

With the increased push for more diversity in literature and entertainment, which we celebrate, what about dignifying people with mental illness in our stories? People with mental illness have often been stigmatized and made to look "crazy" and like criminals in books and movies. That has been changing. How can it improve further? I talk with Christian author and experienced counselor Tina Yeager on the topic to help us as writers.

We love great ideas. Unique ideas. But what makes a great idea into a great story? How can you ruin a great idea? Listen to the discussion and then check out the first episode of our new Sci Fi story, Singularity. Chapter 1: Disconnected. Written by Steven. Listen and vote for the next part of the story!

Fight scenes. We love them when they're good. They bore us when they're bad. Or they can annoy us. How can we write great fight scenes? Listen to this amazing conversation with Carla Hoch, author of Fight Write, and the different things we need to think about when writing violence and fight scenes.

Why is a writing conference a great thing for writers to do? Steven and Britt talk about the recent Serious Writer one day bootcamp and why these short, local conferences are a great solution for serious writers on a budget. Then Britt reads The Truth of the Hunter, another flash fiction revisiting Dr. Wincek and her interview with Dr. Wolfe. Check it out!

The revolutionary television series from HBO, Game of Thrones, is done! People have been disappointed - to say the least! - over the last couple seasons. Britt and Steven discuss their reaction to the GOT finale and the lesson for writers on why people have been so angry at the end of the show.

Being creative can be inconvenient. When we're in the middle of a project and get a new idea, we love new ideas! But what do we do with the new idea? Make it a part of a current project or start a new one? But we have to do something! Brew & Ink discuss where to stick new ideas, and then Steven reads his version of The Thief and the Gateway from Aaron Betts' POV, our victim before the murder! Check it out and vote on the title for the next story from author MB Mooney.

Jumping the Shark! What does it mean when a series "jumps the shark"? What are some examples of series that are guilty and what are others that could have but never did? Listen to the discussion and then hear Author MB Mooney share a flash fiction from Dr. Deb Wincek's point of view, titled PRIMED FOR DUTY. Vote on the next title for Steven to write!

The movie event of the year. The culmination of a revolutionary marketing campaign and 22 movie buildup. Listen as Steven and Britt go over the good and bad of Avengers: Endgame, what we liked and what we didn't, what worked and what fell flat. Check it out!