Join authors Krystle Matar, Ed McDonald, M.J. Kuhn and Justin T. Call for another FanFiAddict author roundtable! During the discussion, these four talented authors share their takes on Surviving a Writing Slog, delving into the roller coaster that is writing, how slogs/slumps can hit you like a brick, how to deal with writer’s block, story struggles, low points, mental health, publishing, social media and more.
M.J. Kuhn
SFF Addicts Ep. 58: Writing Action Scenes with Alexander Darwin (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Writing Action Scenes with author/martial artist Alexander Darwin. During the episode, Alexander tackles the ins and outs of action, including why action scenes are integral to stories, action in TV/film vs. fiction, writing believable action scenes, using pacing to control action and narrative, how action can drive plot, character and worldbuilding, dialogue as action and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 57: Alexander Darwin talks The Combat Codes, Martial Arts, Publishing & More
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they chat with author Alexander Darwin about his debut novel The Combat Codes, mixed martial arts and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, starting his writing career in self-publishing, transitioning to the traditional publishing world, comparing the different sides of publishing, lessons and advice from his writing journey, video games, JRPGs, Studio Ghibli movies and much more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 56: Worldbuilding 101 with Martha Wells (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Worldbuilding 101 with bestselling author Martha Wells. During the episode, Martha unravels the intricacies of worldbuilding, including what it means, why well-crafted worlds are important for stories, first steps for worldbuilding, research vs. creativity, keeping track of details, how to convey information through description, avoiding infodumping, drawing maps, naming shit and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 55: Martha Wells talks Witch King, The Murderbot Diaries, Hard Lessons & More
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they chat with award-winning/bestselling author Martha Wells about her new novel Witch King, her acclaimed The Murderbot Diaries series, hard lessons from her decades-long publishing career, re-releasing old works (and confronting her younger self’s writing), writing both science fiction and fantasy, demons, The Untamed, Mr. Snuffleupagus and much more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 54: Aliens & First Contact with Christopher Paolini (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Aliens & First Contact with bestselling author Christopher Paolini. During the episode, Christopher explores the mysteries of aliens, including why humans are fascinated by them, why first contact makes for fantastic story fuel, creating species and environments, science and our understanding of reality, alien tropes, reader emotions, empathetic aliens and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 53: Christopher Paolini talks Fractal Noise, Eragon, the Power of Story & More
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they chat with internationally bestselling author Christopher Paolini about his new novels Fractal Noise and Murtagh, publishing Eragon/The Inheritance Cycle books and growing up at the same time, imposter syndrome and burnout, advice for young writers, the power of story, comparing science fiction and fantasy, creating the Fractalverse, solving time travel, the impact of dreams and much more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 52: Revision & Rewriting with Sue Burke (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Revision & Rewriting with author and translator Sue Burke. During the episode, Sue breaks down the nitty gritty of revision, including why it’s an important part of the writing process, approaches to first drafts, tools for revision and rewriting, how to keep track of characters and scenes, killing your darlings and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 51: Sue Burke talks Dual Memory, Semiosis, Plant Consciousness & More
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they chat with sci-fi author, journalist and translator Sue Burke about her new novel Dual Memory, her books Semiosis and Immunity Index, plant consciousness, pandemics, translation, doubt and anxiety as an author, artists vs. artificial intelligence, tulip mania and much more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 50: Animal Companions with Andrea Stewart (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Animal Companions with fantasy author Andrea Stewart. During the episode, Andrea explores the furry foundations of animal companions, including why they’re so well suited for SFF, using real animals vs. creating new creatures, what animal companions can bring to a story and its characters, writing from the POV of animals, anthropomorphism, empathy and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 49: Andrea Stewart talks The Bone Shard War, Querying, Parenthood & More
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they chat with fantasy author Andrea Stewart about her new book The Bone Shard War, wrapping up The Drowning Empire series, finding a balance between writing and family, struggling in the querying trenches, her new series The Gods Below, why she loves trilogies, the validation of getting an agent, giant ground sloths and much more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 48: Morally Gray Characters with Fonda Lee (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Morally Gray Characters with award-winning SFF author Fonda Lee. During the episode, Fonda shares her “problematic faves” and untangles the moral complexity that we often find in fictional stories, including what draws us to morally gray characters, what compels authors to write them, stories that lend themselves well to moral grayness, the fine line between morally gray and evil, incorporating moral frameworks into worldbuilding and more.