Punch Keys

This week, Cass and Poppy talk about how they tackle editing and how to find the best story hiding within your unedited words. Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.punchkeys.com

This week, Poppy and Cass discuss what genre expectations are and how they can give insight on how to turn readers into mega fans. Come on, don't shudder at the word expectations. You got this! Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.punchkeys.com

This week, Poppy and Cass break down series writing for fiction novelists. The different types, tips and tricks for keeping you consistent, and power to keep punching the keys! Links mentioned in this episode: https://blog.reedsy.com/how-to-write-a-series/ http://punchkeys.com

This week, Poppy and Cass talk with Lauren Blackwood about her debut novel, Within These Wicked Walls. Her novel was selected for the Reese book club and is a NYT best seller. She discusses her novel, character building, and the music that inspires her characters. Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.punchkeys.com https://www.laurenblackwood.com https://www.instagram.com/laurenblackwoodwrites/ https://twitter.com/LJ_Blackwood https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/basic-pitches/id1540910625 https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/ https://pitchwars.org/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYNMTocU5KE This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

You read that right. Podcast takeover! Steamy, romance, indie author Imogen Keeper interviews our very own Poppy Minnix about her newest release, Holiday Hotel. Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.punchkeys.com https://poppyminnix.com https://www.imogenkeeper.com https://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Hotel-Simona-Island-Book-ebook/dp/B09JL64JRV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=V0WRZWEZ92RG&keywords=holiday+hotel+poppy+minnix&qid=1638335743&sprefix=holiday+hotel%2Caps%2C223&sr=8-1 This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Poppy and Cass discuss how to pick a pen name and then use it to step into the world of social media as an author. It's all about making friends. You've got this! Below are our podcast and author social media links if you want a buddy to cheer you on. Twitter: @punchkeys @casskaywrites @poppyminnix Instagram: @punch.keys @poppyminnix Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.punchkeys.com http://www.buildbookbuzz.com https://kindlepreneur.com/social-media-for-writers/ This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Poppy and Cass interview Paul Bradly Carr on his recent release of 1414°, braving self-publishing, embracing the journey that's got him here, and everything in-between. Books and Authors Mentioned in the Episode: A Uterus Is a Feature, Not a Bug by Sarah Lacy Haven't They Grown by Sophie Hannah The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam Imposter Syndrom by Kathy Wang The Moving Toyshop by Edmund Crispin Agatha Christie Ruth Wara Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.punchkeys.com https://bookworm.fm/ https://www.ingramspark.com/ http://www.paulbradleycarr.com Twitter handle: @paulbradleycarr This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Poppy and Cass discuss what to do with your completed, first-draft manuscript. And no, the answer is not query it. Take a deep breath. Let's talk about editing and what it entails beyond spellcheck and filter word searches. As promised in the episode, here are Cass and Poppy's individual checklists for editing. Cass Editing Checklist Gathering Info Before Diving In Combine all beta notes and make a list of problem areas and suggestions I want to address Make notes of cupcake adjustments from areas beta readers were confused Look over my own research notes and see what I forgot to put into the story Study genre for manuscript and check that I have delivered satisfying tropes and avoided negative ones Pick a scene that reveals the heart/theme of the story Check character arcs and refernce them with theme Check character relationships and make them believable and natural Round One I do a read through with the notes from this list and edit as I go. I look over the list before each chapter and see if the chapter is capable of fixing any of those problems. If a new scene or chapter is needed, I add them in on this round. Same goes if I need to combine scenes or cut/add characters. I also check time passage at this stage and make sure it's consistent and clear. Round Two Now I do a read through where the focus is scene-by-scene. I check that each scene is doing a minimum of two of these things: furthering plot, furthing character arc, furthering relationship arcs, revealing cupcakes for the ending scene, or revealing cupcakes for a series arc. This tightens pacing. I also look at character voice in this round. All metaphors should reveal something about the character, swears unique to upbringing, literaray devices implemented for outer dialogue on certain characters, and cut any meaningless polite chatter that will bore the reader. Round Three Here's where I look at spag. I check sentence structure and dialogue tags a lot. Make sure all movement makes senese and all sentence structures are varied. I run each chapter when I'm done reading through ProWritingAid in this read through. Poppy Editing Checklist Poke alpha/beta readers notes and any notes I left myself during the drafting process ProWritingAid repetition check while rereading outloud and altering sentence style if needed ProWritingAid combo check Reread Send to editor Developmental edits from editor Secondary pokes (nitpicks) from editor Copyeditor approvals Reread for typos Friend reread for typos Publish that sucker Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.punchkeys.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Poppy and Cass talk with Jason (Danger Ranger) about his life experience as an army ranger and law enforcement. He shares how military and crime have affected him psychologically and how he fights depression and seeing the worst in every scenario. Developing characters in your story that are other than you can be an uphill battle. In this interview, we show how it works to reach out, listen, and broaden the depth of your knowledge base. Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.punchkeys.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg3PR4QN8hk This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Poppy and Cass discuss cleaning up prose and scultping words in order to get the best version of your story. Make sure to stop by our website if you'd like to join our writer tribe on discord. Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.punchkeys.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Welcome to season two! In this episode, Poppy and Cass come back swinging and taking out some false assumption made about writers. We're not all drunk trolls who live under a bridge, nor do you have to be a obbsessive grammar know-it-all to be a writer. These little lies creep in our head and enough is enough! Time to kick them to the curb. Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.punchkeys.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In the final episode of season one, Poppy and Cass discuss how to level up your writing once you've decided that you can finish a first draft. Books Mentioned in the episode: Character Arcs by KM Weiland Dreyer's English by Benjamin Dreyer The Writer's Lexicon by Kathy Steinmann Great Books Don't Write Themselves by Larry Brooks The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman The Baby Name Survey Book by Bruce Lanski How to get the Part without Falling Apart by Margie Haber One More Thing by BJ Novak The Element Encyclopedia of secret signs and symbols by Adele Nozedar Quackery: The Worst Ways to Cure Everything by Lydia Kang The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones by Stephanie Rose Bird Links mentioned in this episode: http://punchkeys.com https://manuscriptacademy.com/ https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/ This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Poppy and Cass chat with Meredith Ireland about her debut novel, The Jasmine Project, how she conquered twitter, being a mentor for Pitch Wars and DVPit, and the rollercoaster of writing. Meredith Book Recommandations: The Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly Links mentioned in this episode: http://punchkeys.com https://meredithireland.wordpress.com https://www.instagram.com/writermeredithireland https://twitter.com/MeredithIreland https://www.amazon.com/City-Brass-Novel-Daevabad-Trilogy https://www.amazon.com/Hello-Universe-Erin-Entrada-Kelly https://www.amazon.com/Jade-City-Green-Bone-Saga-ebook This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Poppy and Cass chat about how to write dynamic dialogue in fiction writing. It's harder than it seems, but we got you! Tune in for tips, tricks, and things to avoid. Links mentioned in this episode: http://punchkeys.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Poppy and Cass interview Carla Hoch, writer of Fight Write. She discusses fight training and how to write an engaging fight scene. We definitely think she should coin the phrase 'Bob Rossing your fight scene'. Carla Info: https://www.fightwrite.net https://www.instagram.com/carla.c.hoch https://twitter.com/carlahoch Carla Book Recs: The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker The Art of War by Sun Tzu Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk Other Links Mentioned: Storm Hill Media https://www.stormhillmedia.com Steve Laub Agency https://stevelaube.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Poppy and Cass discuss surviving the query process. We're not gonna lie, it's brutal, but you can do this. Uncork and prepare for the marshmellow orgy... wait.... no... what? Cass needs to lay off the wine. Links mentioned in this episode: https://punchkeys.com/ https://manuscriptacademy.com/ This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Poppy and Cass discuss side characters. How much work needs to go into them, what information is relevant, and how your secondary characters can give a natural reveal for plot points and protagonist traits. And don't tell Cass she can't hold a tune; our little secret. Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.punchkeys.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Poppy and Cass chat with science fiction and fantasy author Scott Reintgen about his writing process and how valuable a writing tribe has been for him. Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.punchkeys.com https://www.itspronouncedrankin.com Insta: @reintgen Twitter: @scott_thought This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Poppy and Cass hit part two of the golden chapters. The first chapter hooks the reader into finishing your story. The last chapter hooks them into the author. Endings matter. Let's do this. Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.punchkeys.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Poppy and Cass discuss that magical mojo required for first chapters. If you can't hook 'em in the first chapter, they don't keep reading. Holy pressure. Let's take a deep breath and dig in. You got this. Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.punchkeys.com https://www.amazon.com/Wonderbook-Illustrated-Creating-Imaginative-Fiction/dp/1419704427 https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/first-chapter-checklist-1/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyW371dBJZ4 This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Poppy and Cass are excited to introduce award-winning author Imogen Keeper. Her tenth book, Outlaw, was just released and we chat about what the writing process is like for her. Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.punchkeys.com https://www.imogenkeeper.com/ https://www.instagram.com/imogenkeeperauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/ImogenKeeper/ This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Poppy and Cass talk about making characters click in all types of relationships. What key factors make readers attach to a relationship? Let's find out. Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.punchkeys.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, Poppy and Cass dig into the details of your story and how to use them to conquer the infamous show vs tell advice all writers hear over and over. There's a sweet spot for the right amount of details, let's find it! If you're enjoying Punch Keys, please help us out with a review! Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.punchkeys.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode, Poppy and Cass discuss how poking at your submission package while still in the first draft can help organize where the story is going. Novels feel longest when your lost in the middle weeds of the creation process, try using your query material to untangle. There may be some fake taglines and loglines that Cass thought were hilarious. Maybe. Links mentioned in this episode: http://punchkeys.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode, Poppy and Cass talk about crafting fight scenes, both verbal and physical. Put on your boxing gloves and lets do this. Kapow! Keywords: onomatopoeia, Carla Hoch, sentence structures, five senses, and dynamic wrting! Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.punchkeys.com http://www.fightwrite.net This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

What is a scene? What kind of layers go in a scene? Who likes to eat onions like their apples? Tune in, find out.

A name for the girl, the boy, the dog, the sword, the house, the town, heck the WORLD! It's the name game and we're discussing strategies for all of it.

Don't bail on us pansters. Organization, even chaotic ones, keep your word babies backed up and make you more efficient with your time. Let's do this.

Finding repetition in your writing isn't just about most used words. Hang tight, there's a lot.

Tropes can connect with genre readers, they can also steer you wrong. Let's talk about it.

Let's talk about fine tuning that character voice. This week, Poppy Minnix and Cass Kay discuss different strategies in how to develop character voice. No, they're not going to try and sing on key. We all know Cass would fail. They'll discuss ticks, triggers, and flavor! You ready? Links mentioned in this episode: http://punchkeys.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Your antagonist matters, we promise. In this episode, Poppy and Cass discuss how they build antagonists. Villains are half the story and often your protagnists motivation; invest the time in them! Villain crushes may be discussed. Links mentioned in this episode: http://punchkeys.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Create a dynamic, fully-developed, fake person that's engaging enough to carry a whole story. Sure, no problem. In this episode, Poppy and Cass discuss how to build a protagonist. They go over the basics, the details, their tips and tricks, and maybe even a few cats who crash the show. Links mentioned in this episode: http://punchkeys.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

What's your process for writing a novel? We'll tell you ours and all the tricks we've discovered along the way. There's more than one way to write a novel, and carving your own path works just as well. In this episode, Cass and Poppy discuss the tips and tricks they've found to starting and completing a manuscript. Topics discussed: Plotting Pantsing Links mentioned in this episode: http://punchkeys.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Everyone needs to get eyes on their work to improve. Let's dig in to the good, the bad, and everything in-between when it comes to critiques. If you want to grow as a writer, there's no avoiding getting critiques. In this episode, Cass and Poppy discuss how to sort through the feedback and how to up your own game in giving critiques. Links mentioned in this episode: http://punchkeys.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Let's be real, writers have high highs and lower lows. Being in the dumps sucks and we get it. Let's talk about how to shake off the blues. Sometimes writing a novel is the best high--sometimes it's not. In this episode we'll discuss how to keep going even when you're low. Links mentioned in this episode: http://punchkeys.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Writing is lonely, but it doesn't have to be. Come join our writer tribe. Welcome to the first epidsode of Punch Keys! In this episode, Cass and Poppy discuss who they are as writers, how they met, and navigating how to find a wirting tribe of support. Links mentioned in this episode: http://punchkeys.com http://https://nanowrimo.org This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Here's a little bite-size clip of who and what Punch Keys is. What and who is Punch Keys? We'll tell you! Check out this bite-sized trailer with Cass Kay and Poppy Minnix. Links mentioned in this episode: http://punchkeys.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm