The guys dig into subplots, and the connective tissue that broadens a story—from exposition techniques to integrating side arcs naturally.
From Star Wars,Aliens, to A Song of Ice and Fire, they cover how to introduce, transition, and resolve subplots, when to cut what doesn’t serve the main plot.
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fictionalproblems.podbean.com/e/side-quest...
#SUBPLOT #SecondaryCharacters #starwars #aliens #gameofthrones
#WritingTips #newpodcastepisode #ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛy #fantasy #speculativefictionireland #irishauthors #sciencefiction #podcastshow
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Perfectly timed “mic drop” moment in storytelling, and flexible genre conventions in worldbuilding. We also pitch a tongue-in-cheek campaign for every TV show to try a zombie episode, and why long-running franchises can benefit from disappearing for a while.
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#fictionalcomments #question #timetravel #dragons #unreliablenarrator
#writingtips #newpodcastepisode #ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛy #fantasy #speculativefictionireland #irishauthors #sciencefiction #podcastshow
In this episode of Fictional Problems, we tackle more Fictional Comments from fictional listeners about writing dilemmas: preventing time-travel fatigue and paradoxes, handling memory editing and what defines identity, and signalling unreliable narrators who don't realise they're unreliable.
"Fictional Comments,"
Topics include whether character deaths should have memorable last words or haunting off‑page endings, whether magical societies would develop permits and paperwork, and how writers cope with reviews and feedback.
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
#fictionalcomments #question #lastwords
#writingtips #newpodcastepisode #ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ #fantasy #speculativefictionireland #irishauthors #ScienceFiction #podcastshow
Gary and Alan continue the discussion of identity fiction with a focused critique of recent Star Trek shows arguing modern entries prioritise surface identity over character-driven storytelling
The hosts call for stories that respect human complexity and the legacy of great science fiction writing
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!
#Woke #wokeism #identity #StarTrek #StarfleetAcademy #AlexKurtzman #TNG #MeasureofaMan #chainofcommand
#writingtips #newpodcastepisode #ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ #fantasy #speculativefictionireland #irishauthors #sciencefiction #podcastshow
fictionalproblems.podbean.com/e/what-is-st...
#Woke #wokeism #identity #StarTrek #StarfleetAcademy #AlexKurtzman #TNG #MeasureofaMan #chainofcommand
#writingtips #newpodcastepisode #ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ #fantasy #speculativefictionireland #irishauthors #sciencefiction #podcastshow
Gary Martin and A.R. Mc Nevin explore the idea of "woke" writing and ask what happens when identity is prioritised over story.
#woke #wokeism
#writingtips #newpodcastepisode #fantasy #speculativefictionireland #irishauthors #sciencefiction
fictionalproblems.podbean.com/e/when-ident...
The debut novel of one of our hosts Gary J. Martin
From Temple Dark Books - Knight of Gaelgara, Book 1 of the War of Souls Apocrypha
www.templedarkbooks.com/knight-of-ga...
#fantasybook #knightofgaelgara #templedarkbooks #newwriting #irishauthor #femaleprotagonist #independentpublisher
NEW EPISODE,OUT NOW!
Gary J. Martin and A.R. McNevin break down what makes a scene work: action, dialogue and narrative.
#scene #dialogue #narrative #action #newpodcastepisode #fantasy #irishauthors #sciencefiction #podcastshow
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Gary J. Martin and A.R. McNell tackle editing — the brutal and beautiful process of turning first drafts into something worth sharing.
Practical tips include listening to your manuscript aloud and using editing as fuel for the next draft.
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fictionalproblems.podbean.com/e/cutting-ro...
#edit #noveledits #editing #editingtips #Writing #writingtips #newpodcastepisode #writingcommunity #FantasyBooks #speculativefictionireland #irishauthors #sciencefiction #podcastshow
fictionalproblems.podbean.com/e/when-ai-wr...
#AI #artificialintelligence #aiwriting #writing #amazonbooks #writingtips #newpodcastepisode #writingcommunity #fantasybooks #speculativefictionireland #irishauthors #sciencefiction #podcastshow
Episode 17
We examine the rise of AI and LLM in writing, exploring how they are trained and what they mean for creativity and the publishing industry.
They discuss legal and ethical questions, the limits of AI in producing genuine long-form fiction, and how writers and readers may adapt.
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
fictionalproblems.podbean.com/e/when-ai-wr...
#AI #artificialintelligence #aiwriting #writing #amazonbooks #writingtips #newpodcastepisode #writingcommunity #fantasybooks #speculativefictionireland #irishauthors #sciencefiction #podcastshow
Heroes and Villains:
We explore the dynamic, why each needs the other, and how archetypes evolve or are subverted to create tension and emotional impact.
We discuss the importance of sympathetic antagonists, and offer practical tips for writers on crafting complex and compelling characters.
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fictionalproblems.podbean.com/e/when-heroe...
#Hero #heroes #bookvillian #classicheroes #writingtips #newpodcastepisode
#WritingCommunity #fantasy #speculativefictionireland #irishauthors #sciencefiction
EPISODE 15 OUT NOW
#TimeTravel #writingchallenges #backtothefuture #TheTerminator
#writingtips #newpodcastepisode
#writingcommunity #fantasy #speculativefictionireland #irishauthors #sciencefiction #podcasting