What's the climax of any book - no matter the genre? And where does it belong, how do you properly lead up to it, and what are cardinal rules about delivering a long-awaited "big bang" of a book? Join Ben and Sara as they discuss the most important piece of any novel.

Learn more about Ben at: https://bennettrcoles.com/
Learn more about Sara at: https://saradahmen.com/

Everyone is busy, and everyone has a life, but when you're a writer, you still have to figure out how to create a schedule or a formula that allows you the ability to carve out, or set aside time and a way to get some writing in! Ben and Sara discuss strategies they've used, or know to be helpful, in building a sustainable writing schedule for the busiest of writers. Whether you're jugging another job, kids, or simply need to figure out how to focus, this is all about helping you find time to get those burning words on the page.

Learn more about Ben at: https://bennettrcoles.com/
Learn more about Sara at: https://saradahmen.com/

Ben and Sara are thrilled to welcome special guest and internationally renowned, NYT and Sunday Times bestselling author Steven Erikson, who has sold multi-million copies of his The Malazan Book of the Fallen ten-volume series.

Steven talks about where to find the "Big Idea", what to do when a spark of an idea hits and how to curate it to write a book. Or, conversely, whether an idea is worth pursuing and how to know if it is. Best of all, Steven offers up some of his own strategies for writing, and gives us a glimpse into how this brilliant author of dozens of books creates the magic.

Discover Steven's books at: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APIXTU
Or learn more about him and his current work at: https://www.facebook.com/steveneriksonofficial/

Learn more about Ben at: https://bennettrcoles.com/
Learn more about Sara at: https://saradahmen.com/

How are scripts and books different, and how does one to navigate from writing novels to writing screenplays? Ben and Sara talk about the differences, the logistics, layout, how to describe scenes in detail, condensing and efficiencies expected in script writing verses books and more nitty gritty mechanicals about movie writing.

Learn more about Ben at: https://bennettrcoles.com/
Learn more about Sara at: https://saradahmen.com/

Ben and Sara break down the basics: what's a genre, a sub-genre, and what broadly defines them so you know what genre you're writing in (important for marketing to your audience!) and where to research your competition and discover your potential readership. How many genres are out there, and which one is right for you? Ben and Sara discuss the overarching themes of genre, with future episodes to tackle the specifics to come!

Learn more about Ben at: https://bennettrcoles.com/
Learn more about Sara at: https://saradahmen.com/

Screenwriting is writing, and many writers hope to tackle it during their career. Sara, with her background in Hollywood and screenwriting, discusses with Ben the broad strokes of how screenwriting differs from writing books, and the top level ins and outs of navigating the industry itself.

To watch this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/cbff92_CdJE

Learn more about Ben at: https://bennettrcoles.com/
Learn more about Sara at: https://saradahmen.com/

If you listen to the podcast, you know Ben and Sara like to enjoy a glass of wine while chatting.

In this episode, they each list their top five wine choices, make fun of one another's pronunciations, and learn about new different varieties.

This is just the beginning of the Top Five. Ben and Sara plan to tackle their Top Five Horror Movies, Top Five Foods, etc

To watch this episode, visit YouTube at: https://youtu.be/fteQtM6YF1c

Learn more about Ben at: https://bennettrcoles.com/
Learn more about Sara at: https://saradahmen.com/

Writing is sometimes about reporting facts or theories, new science, or taking an old story--or one you've made up based on a core childhood memory--or even a story that comes to you in a dream. What inspires you to write, what to write? Ben and Sara discuss the ways one can be inspired, and how to turn that into a storytelling success.

To watch this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/_tu4wbQVu78

Learn more about Ben at: https://bennettrcoles.com/
Learn more about Sara at: https://saradahmen.com/