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Who Are We?

“Helping Writers Write”

CC and I zoomed pass one hundred podcasts since we started “The Amateur Hour” in 2021, and we should reintroduce ourselves with a list of our popular podcasts.

Cassidy Carson and JT Hume are parents, grandparents, and independent writers who podcast, and we’ve got a few books between us. We’ve been a team for over forty years, and we learned things about writing and living together during our journey. Our advice and $5 will get you a Starbucks.

Writing: On top of our books, we have works in progress (WIPs): CC’s historical romance, and JT’s space epic. We wrote a book together that was so much fun, we’ll do it again after our individual WIPs. Check out our joint book and let us know if you like it.

Podcast: We podcast to share our experiences and ideas, but we really like to do is sit down and take a break with each other. That’s all. Nothing dramatic or lurid. Two people of a certain age with a history of chatting over coffee. Our podcast mission: “Helping Writers Write.”

These adventures are the meat of our podcasts. Here’s a short list of the many related topics for your listening convenience.

  • Elmore Leonard was a preeminent 20th Century writer, and he created “10 Rules for Good Writing.” We looped in Hemingway and a Marvel movie.
  • We had an on-the-air earthquake while we discussed the “nature vs. nurture” complexity of the “Flawed Protagonist.”
  • The Nature of Reality, and we employ the usual podcast tool of using familiar movies: “The Matrix” and “The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.”

All this and dozens more for your daily commute. We hope you listen and send us feedback because we would love to hear from you.

As we always say, thanks in advance and love you lots!

Dialogue and SM

Another polyglot of a podcast from the Worldwide Headquarters where “we like to help writers write.”

We discussed writing comfort zones and how writers like to stick to familiar troupes and character because they over a rich source of inspiration. John Grisham and his love for the Deep South is specifically mentioned, as is my books of Nevada.

We push our own buttons (again) of the complex subject of social media and the increasing amount of overhead dedicated to advertise our works, almost to the point where we have to sacrifice writing time in lieu of advertising. A difficult balance.

We wrap things up with a chat about dialogue and context, and we mention how people mostly listen to others to respond versus really listening to each other (it makes more sense in the podcast). We discuss some ideas on how writers can improve their dialogue in their books.

All this and more from the Podcast Where Production Values Go to Die. Literally. Have a listen and let us know what you think. We hope you enjoy. Take care.

Flooded Basement

Another podcast, another joint therapy session.

Northern Nevada is being pummeled by waves of rain and snow, and some of it overflowed into our basement. CC and I talk it out to get perspective and context, and as a means to reduce our stress.

Also discussed:
-Writing as an escape.
-Getting yourself into writing mode.
-Memories and context.
-Word games with kids.
-Cochlear implants.
-Rain and snow and rain and snow.
-How we’d love to hear back from you.

Trigger: I use a naughty word (a naughty Irish word, that is).

Have a listen and let us know what you think. TIA! LYL!

Snow and Taxes

We clearly had things on our minds in this week’s writers podcast:

-Snow.
-So much snow.
-The Northern Nevada Floods of 1997.
-Heated sidewalks at the Nevada Legislature.
-Our respective works in progress.
-Staying focused on the story at hand and not getting sidetracked.
-So much respect for veterinarians and their teams.

We wrap it up with a dive into the taxes that writers must consider every year. We’re not experts and do not mean to imply we have the answers, but we do share some thoughts on the subject. (PS: do your research and talk to a CPA.)

We still clock in at thirty minutes, so it’s perfect for your commute from Reno to Carson City!

Have a listen and let us know what you think. TIA! LYL!

That Which We Leave Behind

Time for another CC and JT Amateur Hour “where production values go to die.” We like to help writers write.

The past is always present, and it grips us all in more ways than one. CC and I discuss how to fold the past into your writing.

We talk about the Hume Museum. Peggy the doll up there has been handed down through generations, and her wooden friends come from overseas.

We also chat about the Hume Clock (TikTok link) and my deer video that has over ten thousand views (TikTok link).

Have a listen and let us know what you think. TIA! LYL!

Routines and FanFic

“The podcast where production values go to die” is more discombobulated than usual in this episode. We started talking about the value of developing routines and habits to establish comfort zones for writing. That’s valuable stuff, but we somehow segued into the importance of fan fiction.

We have a lot of respect for these artists, especially for middle and high schoolers who write and put themselves out there for (sometimes) very harsh criticism.

Not much to reports on our personal works in progress, though Charlie (pictured) plays a key role in my WIP.

Have a listen and let us know what you think. TIA! LYL!

The Disharmony of Love

CC and I meander all over the map in this week’s podcast about Love. We agree, and we agree to disagree, but we’re fairly safe in saying there are no absolutes other than “Love is Love.”

We hope you have it all figured out for yourself because listening to this podcast, you can tell we are clearly clueless.

Have a listen and let us know what we got right or wrong. TIA! LYL!

Valentine’s Day Book

Hi, All. From Friday, February 10 to Tuesday, February 14, “From Tundra to Tiara” will be reduced in price from $2.99 to 99¢. Five days of savings for the most romantic day of the year!

We would normally make it available for $0, but as we discussed in our 100th podcast episode, free Kindle books are open to illicit downloads and fraud. If you cannot afford the reduced price, reach out to me via Twitter and let’s see if we can work it out.

We believe in this book, and we would love for you to read it and give us a review.

Here’s the link! Thanks much in advance! LYL!

The Doldrums

We discuss “the doldrums,” which we define as a normal interruption in the creative writing process. You have a story, but you don’t what to with it or which direction to take it.

We’re going through this phase ourselves. We have some ideas on what got us there and what it will take to get us moving again.

We also chat about our gift to you on Valentines Day and current events.

Have a listen and TIA! LYL!

Surprise

We struggled this week with “the big reveal”: the completely out-of-the-blue plot twist.

Does the shock take the reader out of the story? Does it improve the plot? Does it change a “routine” experience into a memorable one for all the right reasons?

Thoroughly spoiled: “The Crying Game” and “Murder on the Orient Express.”

We also discuss our personal works in progress. Have a listen and take care of you. LYL!

Confidence

CC and I chat about what may be the most important emotional tool for a writer. We need a lot of moxie to go from a random idea floating in the ether to a real live book.

We talk about the challenges of believing in yourself, plus we give some ideas in how to keep believing in yourself.

There’s the usual updates about our works in progress, and we make a big announcement about our next book.

Have a listen and let us know what you think! LYL!

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