Brew & Ink Podcast

We've come to the epic finale! We have a ton of things going on and new opportunities as we transition into Season 2. Hear all the exciting things we have to share and then listen to author Steven Faletti share the finale episode of Bone Yard. Who lives? Who dies? Who gets the stones? Check it out and find out.

How do authors balance life and the discipline of writing? The Brew & Ink crew discuss the different ways to prioritize and stay consistent with writing. Then it's time for the throw down! Katie and Britt were given the title Stongbow. Katie drew Fairy Tale genre and Britt drew Legends. Listen and go to our FB page or www.brewandink.com to vote for the first round of our competition!

How does a writer get inspired for a new project? Listen as our Brew & Ink crew delve into the different ways and struggles for a writer to begin a new project. Then the Flash Fiction Competition continues with Bill and EV going head to head on The Heist of Song. Bill drew Historical Fiction and EV drew horror. Check out their stories and vote on the website or on FB!

"There are no small roles, only small actors." Minor characters give context, flavor, or even serve the story in a major way. Some of our favorite characters are considered "minor" in the story. The Brew & Ink crew discuss "minor" characters and how to write them well. Then Sarah and Steven face off for the next round of competition with the title I Never Slip on Banana Peels. Steven reads a caper, and Sarah reads her realistic fiction. Listen and vote for your favorite!

With Halloween coming next week, what are the stories that scare you the most? The Brew & Ink crew discuss their favorite horror stories before the Wild Card competition with the title 3 Quarters and a Dime. Sarah drew Western, Bill a Mystery, and Britt drew Mythopoeia. Listen and vote!

Controversy ahead! What are some of the popular stories that you actually hate? The Brew & Ink crew discuss some famous books and franchises that we don't like and why. Then Sarah and Katie each read their versions of The Ventriloquist's Daughter - Sarah with a myth and Katie with humor. Listen and go to our website www.brewandink.com to vote! The winner goes to the finals!

Welcome back to the Brew & Ink Podcast! This next season will be a MURDER MYSTERY called MIDNIGHT SHOWING - a man has been poisoned and murdered at a midnight comedy show. Dr. Jack Wolfe, our investigator, begins the account of the murder and narrowing the suspects. Our crew gives a quick recap of 2018 and their goals for 2019 before getting into Dr. Wolfe written by Britt Mooney. Listen and vote at www.brewandink.com or our FB page for who should be interviewed first!

How do writers create conflict with their characters? We love stories with dire, important conflict, something we can connect with. How do we as writers create that? Join our crew as we discuss that topic and then listen to Steven write Henri Custeau's story, the bartender and first suspect in the MURDER. Listen and go to our FB page or brewandink.com and vote!

How important is social media to the modern author? Agents and publishers talk about platform and play a numbers game with engagement and other terms. Listen as the Brew & Ink team give their thoughts on social media and the different options. Then hear Katie read her part of the murder mystery. Listen and vote at www.brewandink.com!

The worst thing for a writer is to have a revolutionary idea to just lose it or forget it later. How do authors take notes and keep track of ideas and research? Join the Brew & Ink crew for the discussion and then catch EV sharing her episode with Abigail's interview with Dr. Wolfe. Listen today for more clues to the murder!

Why is it important for a writer to be on social media? What should a writer share? The Brew & Ink crew continue the discussion on social media and authors. Then Bill Hawkins shares Blake Sheldon's interview with Dr. Wolfe. Check it out for more clues to the murder! Then vote on who you think the murderer is!! Listen and vote at www.brewandink.com!  

What music does a writer listen to while creating? Or do they? Listen to the discussion on music and writing and creating with our Brew & Ink crew before author Britt Mooney shares the exciting conclusion of our murder mystery? Who was it? Who dunnit? Listen and then vote on the the title for the next round of flash fiction entries at www.brewandink.com.  

There's a great book or movie, and they decide to make a sequel ... and it stinks. What makes a good sequel? The Brew & Ink crew talk about sequels, good and bad, and then Steven reads his flash fiction exploring the character of Henri Custeau further in The House Always Wins. Vote for the title of the next flash fiction at www.brewandink.com!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!!

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!  

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!

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!  

What kind of space do you need to be creative? Where do you go to write? Britt and Steven share how and where they set up to write and discuss how important it is to be comfortable ... or not. Then Britt shares New Jinn, Singularity ch. 10. Listen and vote for the next part of the story!

Libraries are essential to a strong community. In this episode, Steven and Britt recap the Gwinnett County Library Gala, Puttin' on the Litz. Then listen as Steven shares Natara, the next episode in the sci fi story, Singularity.

Why must there be deadlines? Are they good or bad? Britt and Steven discuss the reality of deadlines in traditional publishing, why they can be good, and how we can give ourselves deadlines and goals in different ways. Then Britt shares Kepler, chapter 12 of Singularity. Listen and vote!

What are some of your favorite Christmas movies? Britt and Steven talk about some classics and a few fringe movies you may not have thought about this holiday season. Then Steven reads Calculated Plans, Singularity Chapter 13, as Mitch and Jinn head to Nexus and the CORE. Listen and vote!  

Who makes New Years Resolutions? Are they important? Britt and Steven discuss the successes of the last year and the goals for 2020 as writers and podcasters. Then Britt shares The CORE, Chapter 14 of Singularity, where Mitchell and Jinn finally make it to Nexus. Listen and vote for the path to the end of the story!

Mitch and Jinn have made it to the CORE. Will they release the violent Federation secrets to the universe? Will they survive? Check out the final and revealing finale to the great story of Singularity!  

First episode of Season 6! We know you've been waiting for it. Cowboys. Dinosaurs. Awesomeness. Fantasy/Western called Hero is a Four Letter Word. Hear us talk about how we came up and brainstormed for this episode before Steven shares the first chapter, Hero's Call. After listening, you still get to vote on elements of the story. Listen and vote!

What has our Brew & Ink crew been up to lately? Between lockdowns and time off, each one has been busy with different projects. After some important updates, Katie reads the next chapter of Hero is a Four Letter Word - The Pursuit. Help author MB Mooney write the next chapter by voting for the next episode!

Artists love inspiration. But everyone gets inspired. What's the difference between art being a hobby and living as a professional? Using the phrase "inspiration is for amateurs," the Brew & Ink crew discuss the difference between being amateurs and professionals. Then author MB Mooney shares PROGRESS, chapter 3 of Hero is a Four Letter Word. Listen and vote on the next episode. 

Life hacks! We all love them, but what are some artist/creative hacks? Some might call them tips, but our Brew & Ink crew take a few minutes and give their best creative hacks to keep moving and going on those projects we love. Then Steven brings us Blackclaw, Chapter 4 of Hero is a Four Letter Word. Listen and vote for options for the next episode!

Break into song! The ground-breaking Hamilton has taken the world by storm, and with its amazing popularity, the Brew & Ink crew go through their favorite musicals, what makes a great musical, and maybe they break into song themselves. Then Katie brings us Trouble, chapter 5 of our season, Hero is a Four Letter Word. Listen and vote!

You voted for it! Stampede! First, the Brew & Ink Crew discuss the places and spots that inspire them the most as creatives. Then Britt shares Stampede! Chapter 6 of Hero is a Four Letter Word. Listen and vote for the direction of the next chapter in the story!

What is the difference between complexity and complication? Which is better for a story? The Brew & Ink crew discuss the need for more complexity in modern storytelling. Then Steven shares Hornet's Nest, Chapter 7 of Hero is a Four Letter Word. Listen and vote for the direction of the next chapter!

Writers often try to tackle controversial subjects in stories. How can an author do this well? The Brew & Ink Crew discuss and give examples. Then Katie shares Recompense, Ch 8 of Hero is a Four Letter Word. Listen and vote for the choices from the wheel of doom!

What books are you thankful for? We forget some books as soon as we finish them. Other change our lives. The Brew & Ink crew discuss the books that they were thankful to have read. Then Author MB Mooney reads Red Scarf, ch9 of Hero is a Four Letter Word. Listen and vote for the next episode!

For writers, holidays are often times to work. The Brew & Ink crew discuss what they will do with their "free" time over the holidays in any creative endeavors. Then Steven shares Caught in Between, chapter 10 of Hero is a Four Letter Word. Listen and vote for the next chapter!

Happy New Years! The Brew & Ink Crew take stock of the year and look ahead to their creative goals in 2021. Then Katie shares Demarcation, Ch 11 of Hero is a Four Letter Word. Listen and vote!

MLK, Jr day is Monday, Jan 18th. He was an amazing speaker and writer. Did he say anything about writing? The Brew & Ink Crew take one of his quotes about writing and discuss their thoughts. Then author MB Mooney shares No Place for Heroes, ch12 of Hero is a Four Letter Word. Listen and enjoy!

The LAST CHAPTER! Listen to the exciting and action packed chapter 13, Blood Soaked Tears, the conclusion of Hero is a Four Letter Word brought to us by Steven. Listen and enjoy this amazing story!

We are developing the story for the next season, and we need your help! Each of our 4 writers will be sharing a flash fiction story as an example of their idea for season 7. We need your votes to help us decide! Listen and go to www.brewandink.com to vote!!

Time for Round 2! Bill and Britt square off with their two stories as ideas for season 7. Which one should we choose? Listen and vote! Go to www.brewandink.com to vote!

The Finals are here! You voted and now Bill and Katie go head to head for the main story for Season 7! Listen to the stories and go to www.brewandink.com to vote!   

The new season launches today! Katie's story, the Andromeda Voyage, won our competition and she writes the first chapter of our new story! Check it out and vote on the website for the next chapter! https://brewandink.com/

The first peril befalls our crew and the Andromeda, an attack of creatures from the ocean! The Brew & Ink Crew discuss the development of magic systems through fantasy literature and give examples. Then Steven shares chapter 2 of the Andromeda Voyage!! Listen and vote. Go to www.brewandink.com to vote! 

With all the changes in social media, what should authors know about how to engage with readers? Britt and Steven share from the industry, and then Britt shares Chapter 3 of Andromeda, To Save a Healer. Listen and vote! Go to the website to vote: https://brewandink.com/ To check out WOLFHEART for FREE: https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LHY8J1Y Get a FREE BOOK: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/rjybr6i8yp