Hello and welcome to Romance Writer’s Therapy! Some people write therapeutically, authors need therapy after writing. We aren’t therapists, but we feel like we need one. This podcast is like our group therapy, just a couple of budding romance authors discussing writing, storytelling, reading and publishing--with many detours along the way.
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The Highlights: How Romance Readers Play Minecraft Use Your Half-Started Ideas For a Change Theory about TikTok Theories Kate and Marty List Some Real Horny Shit Your Books Need A Quick Treatise on Instalove Everybody Looks Better with a Little Bit of Dirt on Their Face Your Hero Can't Just Be Hot But He Better Have Some Fucking Hands On Him Acts o…
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Lowest Possible Threshold for a Successful Online Shop
47:23
47:23
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The girls record their first episode together in Michigan! It's important to start this episode with a reminder with just how bad we are at math. Setting up an Etsy Vs. Woocommerce What to Stock Intermittent Nail Polish Breaks How to Run a Giveaway Strategies Around Engaging Your Reader Group Pre-Order Kate Prior's new-release, Mated to My Ex! (Div…
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The Highlights: New Recording Time, Who Dis Marty's Dilemna: Two Books, One HEA Kate Recaps the 2019 Tumblr Nose-Dive Vanity Metrics VS. Backlog Awareness Long, Possibly Bad Shelved Projects Bob Ross and the Order Of Operation Spending 10x the Time to Write A Sentence as A Reader Spends Reading It Instead of a Mind Palace Kate Has A Mind TrashCan Q…
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Career Deathtraps Disguised as Opportunities (and Some Marketing on the Side)
47:49
47:49
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The Highlights: Sometimes It's Better that an Opportunity Missed You Publishing Is Intensely Cyclical Statistically, How Are You Doing? The Fruits of Consistency Sometimes You Have to Make Terrible Choices (For Your Sinuses) Who Would Have Guessed that Authors Run on Positive Feedback Different Strategies for Writing Series Critically Acclaimed Hol…
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A What's Left in Our Fridge Kind of Episode
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41:36
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The Highlights: We Don't Care for Episode Topics Gaslight Yourself Into Thinking Your Book is Good Marty Forgot Her Dog Outside But It's FINE FOMO About BookCons When You Don't Even like Leading the House Kate Hates NYC on an NJ Level Author Group Chats are Good and Bad for Learning Bite Off What You Can Chew, Despite FOMO Cultivating Joy In A Writ…
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The Highlights: Kate Can't Rawdog a Movie 5 Minutes Straight of Explaining The Above It's Andrew's Podcast Now Marty's Plans for Release Romancelandia Discourse You Can't Tell But We Edited Out The Part Where We Retcon Whatever The Episode Was Going to Be About If You Read this Book Wrong The Metaphor Ran Away from Me Outlines Have A Strange DNFing…
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Katerina Stone is back! Kate, Marty and Katerina chat about the last four episodes of Bridgerton season 3. They have some mixed feelings and hot takes! Prepare yourself, or don't, it's up to you. SPOILERS ABOUND! Watch Bridgerton season three before listening, but don't forget to listen. (And maybe read the first 5 books in the series… 'Kay, thanks…
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Jami Albright joins Marty in this episode about understanding and presenting your author brand! Jami shares her expertise on the promise an author makes to their readers, figuring out what is the unique thing you offer in your writing/books, and pinning down your ideal reader. She not only give advice on how to build your brand, but actionable task…
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We're back with our lovely friend Katerina Stone, to do what we did last time. This time it's about season 3 (the first four episodes). SPOILERS ABOUND! Watch Bridgerton season three before listening, but don't forget to listen. (And maybe read the first 5 books in the series… 'Kay, thanks!) Kate Prior and Marty Vee are joined by Regency romance au…
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In the us episode, Marty chats with contemporary and PNR author Lauren Connelly. In it they discuss: Lauren is the hero we need! Figure out your personal output. Five minute author. The critical part is so loud. This discussion was an absolute mind opener for Marty! Find Lauren Connelly at www.laurenconnollyromance.com. Get Marty's latest novel Haz…
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Planning Out Our 2024 (We Know It's Almost Q3)
45:03
45:03
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This episode contains little Vingettes of: The Ritual Is Simple, Are You Recording? Marty Outlines her Year Long Plan (this is from february) In Your Heart You Know Second Place Is Losing The Emotional Rollercoaster of Giveaways Canva Punishments Penis Envy but It's Over Book Length In Defense of the Short Stories It Keeps Coming back to Subjectivi…
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Nobody Puts Baby's Brand In a Corner
1:00:23
1:00:23
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Marty and Kate are back after a longer than expected haitus, and we're kicking off season 4 the only way we know how-- a long, rambly, conversation about How You Are Doing Enough. The Highlights: Scapegoat for Kareoke Discovering We're Both Obsessed with Jethro Tull 7 Minutes in We Get On Topic Re-Structuring Marty's Time Writing Is For You Marty's…
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Marty and Kate have a special episode for this season finale: reading ~1500 words of their current projects, and then giving critiques to each other. Warning: Kate says the phrase "lean in" about a hundred times. Pre-Order Kate Prior's new-release, Mated to My Ex! (Divorced fated mates, werewolves, knotting, all the good stuff.) Marty Vee's newest …
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Enjoy this repost! Kate and Marty are feeling the pressure of time and they weren't able to record this week. BUT next week will be the season finale, where they share writing and give criticism. So this episode seemed appropriate. Come on a journey with Kate and Marty, through the ups and downs of giving and receiving criticism. The Orc from the O…
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76: The Meaning of Love (One Hundred Times Over)
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59:25
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Kate wrote a prompt for this episode about what it is to dissect the meaning of love over an over again as a romance author, Marty interprets it as a craft question, Kate interprets it as an introspective question. Neither feel like they full answered the prompt. Pre-Order Kate Prior's new-release, Mated to My Ex! (Divorced fated mates, werewolves,…
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75: Business Strategy On Minimum Brain Cells
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55:52
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Apologies for Sounds of Opening Mail in the first few minutes of the episode. Kate and Marty discuss: Progress by Wordcounts and Nanowrimo Shelving Projects and Coming Back to them How was Your Halloween? Not Impressed with Past Selves It Takes 200 Hrs for Marty to Write A Whole Book Rest Is Productive 24 Hr Plays and Being Too Tired to Sleep Under…
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74: Kate Asks Marty Every Question She Can Think of About Her Current Project
57:04
57:04
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This was an idea for an episode we had a while back. Think of it as a demonstration of soundboarding, something we end up mentioning really late in the show. Pre-Order Kate Prior's new-release, Mated to My Ex! (Divorced fated mates, werewolves, knotting, all the good stuff.) Marty Vee's newest book Hazel and Elijah Find Out is now available. Sign u…
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73: Giving Your Characters Personal Growth
1:02:08
1:02:08
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It's all in the title this episode, Marty and Kate talk about the myriad of different ways a character can grow, what growth can look like and how it can serve the plot, as well as a really long (still relevant) discussion about Pride & Prejudice. Pre-Order Kate Prior's new-release, Mated to My Ex! (Divorced fated mates, werewolves, knotting, all t…
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72: Things I Did Wrong with My Book Release
1:21:32
1:21:32
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The girls are both a little sick in this episode so the pacing is slower, but this week Kate tells Marty things she realized she did wrong with her most recent book release only after the fact. They both compare things that they're currently doing with their books and strategize how to work around those obstacles for next time. Pre-Order Kate Prior…
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71: Giving Second Chance Romances Another Try
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57:08
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This week Marty and Kate dissect the Second Chance Romance trope, since they realized they're both writing books with it at the same time. We cover: Why Are They Werewolves? Giving Second Chances Another Try Marty Verbally Wedgies Kate from 1000 Miles Away Holding Suspense Throughout Plotting A SCR is Extremely Weird Getting Rid of the Mindset that…
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This episode is mainly about building your author business without giving in to hustle culture, but we also go off on a number of tangents, such as: Marty Is Eating Her Library Books If You Don't Enjoy Reading A Genre, Why Would You Write In It? There Are No Bears in Michigan The Lunar Cycle Brain Curse Kate Describes Writing Process Very Similar t…
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69: Are You Happy About the Stress You Have?
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59:02
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This episode, Marty and Kate talk about: The Outside Is Attacking Us (Allergies) Marty Isn't DNFing Out of Spite Marty F's Around with Prequels and Finds Out She Should Write More Sideboob Logistics Kate and Marty Are Really Having An Easy Time Writing Books for Once and Are Really Confused About It Marty Sets Some Really Wild Challenges for Hersel…
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68: Maybe Your Neuroses Affect Your Writing Process
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52:07
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This episode, we talk about: When the ADHD Hyperfixation Wears Off / Burnout Is Self Publishing Actually Democratizing the Industry? Or Are we Creating Micro-Class Barriers You Should Strong Arm Your Way Into Situations 16 Minutes In And Kate Still Hasn't Explained Episode's Conceit When It's Ok To Not Accept Criticism TikToks Take FOREVER to Make …
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67: Romantasy's Balancing Act - Interview with Shoshana Rain
44:22
44:22
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44:22
The podcast starts off talking about Shoshana's new book, The Desert Heiress, when the conversation immediately takes a turn into video games. We talk about the ways this book differed from her first series, romantasy books vs fantasy books with romance arcs, balancing worldbuilding/plot vs relationships in romance/fantasy, the importance of buildi…
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Today's episode is at least partly about writing while life is happening, but also: BEEFY chapters and Amazing Critique Group Dynamics The Glorification of Overwriting and Writing Speeds Book Launches During Family Events (TW: death mention, funerals) Emailing You From My Sickbed Washing the Dishes But It's a Character Moment What It Means to Learn…
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REPOST: You Always Remember Your First
1:17:56
1:17:56
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Enjoy this repost: They're back! In this episode, Kate and Marty discuss the age-old advice of "throwing out" the first book you write. They talk about their first attempts at writing books: everything that makes them want to forget that first manuscript, and all the things keeping it on the shelf. And about a dozen tangents in between. Get Marty's…
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65: You're Not My Real Writer Rules!
1:11:12
1:11:12
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Kate and Marty chat about writing rules; and why there are no laws while using loosely accurate examples and saying the wrong term. Enjoy their new use for the semi-colon; and the revival of an olden-times dialogue tag. (IYKYK) The Orc from the Office is Kate Prior's latest novella. Or check out her website at www.kate-prior.com. Get Marty's latest…
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If the girls sound a little low energy, it's because we're talking about Burnout. We talk about: The Sims and Melting Computers Taking Time Away from A Project Feeling Off Balance After A Project Forgetting Your Characters' Names A Milkshake as the Ultimate Romantic Gesture Marty's Love of Emily Henry Actionable Items for Your Bitching Gaslighting …
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63: On Characters Climaxing after the Story's Climax
52:26
52:26
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We Discuss: Checking the Pulse of Your Book Titling your Book AND your Fictional Towns Kate Struggles against the Idea of Fictional National Parks Bone Town and its Many Mile Markers Reading Only the First and Last Sentences of Paragraphs One-Sentence Emails It's Weird to Have an Epilogue, It's Also Weird When You Don't Kate Rambles about Tessa Dar…
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Marty talks about twists with Darcy Monroe. As well as being the nerdiest little nerds in their hometown, their love of cinnamon roll heroes, and reading "steamy" romance at a young age. Find Darcy at https://darcymonroewriter.wordpress.com/ or her book The Hall of Art and Pleasure Get Marty's latest novel Just Fake Married. Sign up for Marty's new…
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Hey listeners, this week, Kate dug this episode from the back of the fridge, under the bed, behind the dishwasher, and some forgotten corner of her hard drive to bring you this mystery meet of an episode from JANUARY. Hopefully this year. Have fun, who knows what this one is about. The Orc from the Office is Kate Prior's latest novella. Or check ou…
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60: Marty and Kate Talk Book Release Budgets without Ever Using Numbers
1:27:59
1:27:59
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This episode, Marty and Kate tell you they're on a time crunch. Don't believe their lies-- buckle in for an hour and a half of them talking about the nitty gritty of Things You Could Theoretically Spend Money on, as An Author, mostly in terms of planning your release. Real technical stuff, y'know. The Orc from the Office is Kate Prior's latest nove…
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This week, Marty and Kate dive into the best strategies for playing Stardew Valley, the much lauded timesuck, and do math on just how many hours they've played it for. They play hot potato with the only brain cell left on the show for a while, discussing how they write the endings of their books, what it means to have more stamina for a book, and t…
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This episodes starts out being about editing while you're writing, things that slow you down, and somehow becomes about saying "meh, fuck it" about things that have become hurdles in your mind. Half of the podcast is also about roombas, and it's only sort of a tangent. The Orc from the Office is Kate Prior's latest novella. Or check out her website…
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This week, Marty and Kate talk about Kate's recent forray into the world of audiobooks and the process with Tantor Audio. They also go over Marty's plans to make her own audiobooks, the indie pub DIY way, and all the things that factor into either path. The Orc from the Office is Kate Prior's latest novella. Or check out her website at www.kate-pri…
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57: Steamy Romance and Scene Structure with Isabelle Drake
56:45
56:45
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Join us this week with author Isabelle Drake, as Marty fangirls over how much she enjoyed Drake's class on scene structure. They take little side steps to critique partners' best practices and The Sixth Sense. Enjoy this craft heavy episode! Find Isabelle Drake on Instagram at @isabelledrake or her website www.isabelledrake.com. The Orc from the Of…
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56: Enemies to Lovers with E.F. Dodd
1:03:30
1:03:30
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This episode, Marty invites E.F. Dodd dissent the enemies to lovers trope, and discuss Dodd's new 2023 release, A Higher Standard. Follow E.F. Dodd on Instagram! Find out more about her books on her website! The Orc from the Office is Kate Prior's latest novella. Or check out her website at www.kate-prior.com. Get Marty's latest novel Just Fake Mar…
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55: Are You There Kate? It's Me, Marty
1:00:45
1:00:45
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This episode we talk about something that genre romance tends to take for granted-- that the leading characters should fall in love. Why these two, and not some other combination? He's just some guy, hit him with your car, etc. Tangents: Meal Preppers The Power of Manifesting a Calendar Non Sober Story Analysis Divorce Is Always An Option A Saw Mov…
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This episode is a little relaxed, Kate and Marty talk about some of the things they got up to during their haitus, and recap the things the authory things they figured out while off the air. But not without some immediate and major tangents. The Orc from the Office is Kate Prior's latest novella. Or check out her website at www.kate-prior.com. Get …
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53: Trope Battles: The Kidnapped, the Forbidden Brother and the Grumpy
49:14
49:14
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Marty: loves winning, hates clapping. That's all you need to know. Kate: makes a lot of references to romcoms she barely remembers watching or hasn't seen. This season ender the duo sling tropes at one another in the weirdest game of not-rock-paper-scissors you've ever heard. In fact, it looks nothing like RPS. They make up stories on the fly and i…
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This episode Marty and Kate weren't really sure what they were going to talk about, but they ended up talking mostly about how they create characters, taking into consideration for how they will form a series of books, and how characters are created when an HEA is the end goal. The Orc from the Office is Kate Prior's latest novella. Or check out he…
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51: Sometimes You Just Have to Describe Things, Unfortunately
1:09:30
1:09:30
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This week, Marty and Kate talk about something they each think the other has a strength in, imagery and character voice. Which really just boils down to various ways to focus on describing your characters (settings are a character, supposedly) in direct and indirect ways, whether you want to or not. The Orc from the Office is Kate Prior's latest no…
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50: Interviewing DJ Russo and Her Re-Covered Book
1:05:20
1:05:20
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This episode, we talk to guest DJ Russo, an indie alien/sci-fi romance author, and her experiences with re-doing her book cover and the changes she saw in her sales. We dive into book covers, the psychology behind them, ARCs and reviews, and a few ADHD things in between. DJ's book Abduction Seduction is on sale this Valentine's, so go check it out!…
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CW: Somewhere around 30 minutes in Kate and Marty take a hard left into an abstract talk about parasites. Kate and Marty continue their series on tropes, with a dive into Fake Dating. Enjoy as they try to gather a single braincell between them to discuss this trope that they both actually really love! The Orc from the Office is Kate Prior's latest …
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48: Forbidden Love and All Its Layers
1:07:39
1:07:39
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This episode is like a time capsule, despite only happening ~ 1 1/2 months ago. Pretend it's at some point in December 2022, listener, to achieve the full vibe. We talk about forbidden love, and the microtropes within the trope that make it work! Also Bagel Church. Note: Fun Fact! This episode was recorded a few hours after Kate ingested norovirus-…
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47: Troy Lambert Talks Plottr with Us
1:30:24
1:30:24
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This week, guest author Troy Lambert talks to Marty and Kate about his platform Plottr, how it helps writers figure out and visualize their story arcs, his book The Call of Karen (A Cthulhu and Karen Adventure Comedy), and just about everything in between. Go to plottr.com for more information. Find Troy Lambert on Instagram at @authortroy or his w…
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46: Dumping on Toxic Mascalininty with Courtney Clark Michaels
1:12:39
1:12:39
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Marty talks with Courtney Clark Micheals about toxic masculinity and how the genre of romance is breaking that nonsense down. Find Courtney on Instagram @courtneyclarkmichaels or on her website www.courtneyclarkmichaels.com Marty's New Year's Eve anthology all proceeds to Planned Parenthood is available here, or at B&N, or at Amazon. Get Marty's la…
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45: Surprise Baby Trope! It's an Episode
1:02:06
1:02:06
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Listener, apologies, but we start off with some stories about throwing up a lot. Skip to 6:40 if that's not your jam. We intended to have this episode be about the Fake Relationship Trope, but somehow we got to talking about the Surprise Baby Trope / Secret Baby Trope, kids in romance overall, and more! So this episode was really the surprise baby …
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44: 2023, Be Gentle On Our Wordcounts
1:02:46
1:02:46
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We're kicking off this year with some year-long planning! Marty shares with us how she builds a year long plan with smaller quarterly goals, while Kate unknowingly experiences the early symptoms of norovirus, starting many sentences and finishing few. In true RWT fashion, we get a little lost in the weeds, touching on other topics such as marketing…
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Enjoy a relisten to this episode from last season. Kate and Marty make talking about sex as unsexy as possible. Enjoy while they talk about the struggles and mechanics of writing sex scenes. The Orc from the Office is Kate Prior's latest novella. Or check out her website at www.kate-prior.com. Marty's New Year's Eve anthology all proceeds to Planne…
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