Method and Muse Podcast
Welcome to Method and Muse podcast, a podcast for writers-in-process! join us for a clever and commiserating twist on topics related to writing from the POVs of our four writers in dogged pursuit of The Dream! Join Paul Cagle, Becky and Lance Bumgardner and Melody Wingfield as they share tips, tricks and tales from the road to help you find your method and follow your muse.
Episodes
October 26, 2020 • 41 mins
EPISODE 72: You Can Do Magic – Writing Magic and the Occult
On this episode, join Lance, Becky, Paul, and Mel as they discuss using magic and the occult in your writing. Does magic have to “play by the rules”? What are some ways to use magic as a plot device? What exactly does “occult” mean? To find out, listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attribution 4....
On this episode, join Lance, Becky, Paul, and Mel as they discuss using magic and the occult in your writing. Does magic have to “play by the rules”? What are some ways to use magic as a plot device? What exactly does “occult” mean? To find out, listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attribution 4....
Mark as Played
October 19, 2020 • 45 mins
EPISODE 71: Ghost Writer – Writing the Paranormal
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss writing paranormal fiction. What’s the difference between paranormal and supernatural? What elements make up a good paranormal story? What can a paranormal story get away with that most other stories can’t? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Common...
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss writing paranormal fiction. What’s the difference between paranormal and supernatural? What elements make up a good paranormal story? What can a paranormal story get away with that most other stories can’t? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Common...
Mark as Played
October 12, 2020 • 47 mins
EPISODE 70: Serial Killer – Writing Series
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss writing a series of books versus a stand-alone novel. What are the advantages of writing a series? How frequently should you produce a new book? What is “Second Book Syndrome”? Listen to this week’s episode to hear the answers to these questions and many more.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attrib...
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss writing a series of books versus a stand-alone novel. What are the advantages of writing a series? How frequently should you produce a new book? What is “Second Book Syndrome”? Listen to this week’s episode to hear the answers to these questions and many more.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attrib...
Mark as Played
October 5, 2020 • 39 mins
EPISODE 69: All By Myself: Stand-alone Novels
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss writing stand-alone novels versus writing a series. Do certain genres lend themselves to stand-alone novels better than others? Why would writing a single book be better than creating a series? What are the pros and cons of writing single books? Listen to the show to hear what they have to say about this topic.
Music: Whit...
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss writing stand-alone novels versus writing a series. Do certain genres lend themselves to stand-alone novels better than others? Why would writing a single book be better than creating a series? What are the pros and cons of writing single books? Listen to the show to hear what they have to say about this topic.
Music: Whit...
Mark as Played
September 28, 2020 • 40 mins
EPISODE 68: Now We’re Cookin’
On this episode, join Becky, Paul, Lance and Mel as they discuss what you’ll experience when you participate in NaNoWriMo. What are some of the pitfalls you might experience? What type of writers participate in this? What goals are expected? Listen to the show to hear what they have to say on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
...
On this episode, join Becky, Paul, Lance and Mel as they discuss what you’ll experience when you participate in NaNoWriMo. What are some of the pitfalls you might experience? What type of writers participate in this? What goals are expected? Listen to the show to hear what they have to say on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
...
Mark as Played
September 21, 2020 • 42 mins
EPISODE 67: Writer’s Secret Recipe
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they talk about the forthcoming NaNoWriMo. In case you didn’t know, that stands for National Novel Writers Month. What is NaNoWriMo for? How can you participate? What can it do for you as a writer? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licen...
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they talk about the forthcoming NaNoWriMo. In case you didn’t know, that stands for National Novel Writers Month. What is NaNoWriMo for? How can you participate? What can it do for you as a writer? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licen...
Mark as Played
September 16, 2020 • 42 mins
EPISODE 66: I’ll Do It My Way, Again! Self-Publishing Part Two
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss The “how” of self-publishing your book. What are you, as the author, responsible for in self-publishing? What things should you know or learn to do? How costly is this alternative? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attribution...
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss The “how” of self-publishing your book. What are you, as the author, responsible for in self-publishing? What things should you know or learn to do? How costly is this alternative? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attribution...
Mark as Played
September 7, 2020 • 44 mins
EPISODE 65: I’ll Do It My Way
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss self-publishing. Why should you consider this route for getting your work published? What are the pros and cons of self-publishing? What are the author’s responsibilities for self-publishing? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Lic...
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss self-publishing. Why should you consider this route for getting your work published? What are the pros and cons of self-publishing? What are the author’s responsibilities for self-publishing? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Lic...
Mark as Played
August 31, 2020 • 44 mins
EPISODE 64: Maker’s Mark
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss “branding” and what it means for an author. What exactly is a brand? What are important things to keep in mind when creating a brand? What can you do to help or hurt your brand? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
https://creat...
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss “branding” and what it means for an author. What exactly is a brand? What are important things to keep in mind when creating a brand? What can you do to help or hurt your brand? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
https://creat...
Mark as Played
August 24, 2020 • 38 mins
EPISODE 63: Look At Me! Look At Me!
On this episode, join Mel, Lance, Becky, and Paul as they discuss promoting your book. When should you start the promotion process? Who does most of the promotion work? What are some of the best methods for promoting your book? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
https://creativeco...
On this episode, join Mel, Lance, Becky, and Paul as they discuss promoting your book. When should you start the promotion process? Who does most of the promotion work? What are some of the best methods for promoting your book? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
https://creativeco...
Mark as Played
August 17, 2020 • 44 mins
EPISODE 62: Cover That Thing Up! – Production and Bookcovers
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they delve into the production process of your book after you’ve signed that all-important contract. What is a “galley”? What are ARC’s and what do you do with them? How important are bookcovers for your book? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Comm...
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they delve into the production process of your book after you’ve signed that all-important contract. What is a “galley”? What are ARC’s and what do you do with them? How important are bookcovers for your book? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Comm...
Mark as Played
August 10, 2020 • 39 mins
EPISODE 61: Stop the Presses! - Publishing
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss what to expect when your book is ready to be published. What are the main criteria that your work must meet for an editor to want it? What exactly is a “budget number”? How long does this process take? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attributio...
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss what to expect when your book is ready to be published. What are the main criteria that your work must meet for an editor to want it? What exactly is a “budget number”? How long does this process take? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attributio...
Mark as Played
August 3, 2020 • 38 mins
EPISODE 60: Mission Impossible Part Two
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss the querying process. What are the parts of a query letter? What are methods you can use to research agents? Can you send simultaneous submissions? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
https://creativecommons.org/l...
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss the querying process. What are the parts of a query letter? What are methods you can use to research agents? Can you send simultaneous submissions? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
https://creativecommons.org/l...
Mark as Played
July 27, 2020 • 37 mins
EPISODE 59: Mission Impossible? Part One
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss the process of dealing with literary agents and what they do. What is an agent? How many types of agents are there? Do you really need one? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses...
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss the process of dealing with literary agents and what they do. What is an agent? How many types of agents are there? Do you really need one? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses...
Mark as Played
July 6, 2020 • 42 mins
EPISODE 58: The Cutting Room Floor – Editing & Revisions
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss how to get your work ready for publication through editing. What are the main types of literary editing? Should you edit your own work or have someone else do it? What are some useful tools for editing? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Com...
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss how to get your work ready for publication through editing. What are the main types of literary editing? Should you edit your own work or have someone else do it? What are some useful tools for editing? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Com...
Mark as Played
June 29, 2020 • 39 mins
EPISODE 57: That’s a Wrap! – You Finished Your Book, Now What?
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss what to do immediately after finishing your book. Should you take a break from your book for awhile before doing anything else with it? Should you jump into editing immediately? What do you do if you’re planning to write sequels? Tune in to the show to hear what they have to say on this topic.
Music: Whit...
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss what to do immediately after finishing your book. Should you take a break from your book for awhile before doing anything else with it? Should you jump into editing immediately? What do you do if you’re planning to write sequels? Tune in to the show to hear what they have to say on this topic.
Music: Whit...
Mark as Played
June 22, 2020 • 42 mins
EPISODE 56: Shaken or Stirred? – The Mixology of Plot
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss different techniques to use in your writing to help with the plot. What is an unreliable narrator? How can dream sequences help to explain parts of your book? What are the dangers in using flashbacks? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons ...
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss different techniques to use in your writing to help with the plot. What is an unreliable narrator? How can dream sequences help to explain parts of your book? What are the dangers in using flashbacks? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative Commons ...
Mark as Played
June 15, 2020 • 36 mins
EPISODE 55: And Your Point Is… - Developing Theme
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss developing the theme or themes for your work. What are some of the most popular themes in books? When you’re writing, which comes first: Theme or Plot? Are some themes more suited to certain genres? Listen to the show to hear what they have to say about this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative C...
On this episode, join Paul, Becky, Lance and Mel as they discuss developing the theme or themes for your work. What are some of the most popular themes in books? When you’re writing, which comes first: Theme or Plot? Are some themes more suited to certain genres? Listen to the show to hear what they have to say about this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used under Creative C...
Mark as Played
June 8, 2020 • 39 mins
EPISODE 54: A Long Time Ago In A Place Far, Far Away – Setting Time and Place
On this episode, join Becky, Lance, Mel, and Paul as they discuss setting the time and place for your story. Do you really need to set a time and place? If so, how specific do you need to be? What factors affect when and where your tale takes place? Listen to the show to hear what they have to say about this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used u...
On this episode, join Becky, Lance, Mel, and Paul as they discuss setting the time and place for your story. Do you really need to set a time and place? If so, how specific do you need to be? What factors affect when and where your tale takes place? Listen to the show to hear what they have to say about this topic.
Music: White Crow by XTaKeRuX is used u...
Mark as Played
June 1, 2020 • 38 mins
EPISODE 53: Ready, Set, Go! – Pacing and Timing
On this episode, join Becky, Lance, Mel, and Paul as they discuss the pacing and timing for your work. What’s the difference between pacing and timing? How important is pacing to your book? Can bad timing affect your writing? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic. On this episode, we’re changing our format a bit, so you won’t hear the Old Time Accountability Hour or Feed...
On this episode, join Becky, Lance, Mel, and Paul as they discuss the pacing and timing for your work. What’s the difference between pacing and timing? How important is pacing to your book? Can bad timing affect your writing? Listen to the show to hear their ideas on this topic. On this episode, we’re changing our format a bit, so you won’t hear the Old Time Accountability Hour or Feed...
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
Anna Sale explores the big questions and hard choices that are often left out of polite conversation.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.
A straightforward look at the day's top news in 20 minutes. Powered by ABC News. Hosted by Brad Mielke.