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!

Adult Books

In today’s Amateur Hour, CC and I discuss the books that took us from childhood reading to adult fiction, and the impact they continue to have on us as adults.

We chat about sump pumps, our works in progress, and “From Tundra to Tiara,” as well as our plans for the future.

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

Episode 100

Twenty-two months since we started in isolation, and here is our 100th episode of the CC and JT Amateur Hour (“where production values go to die”). This episode coincides with the debut of “From Tundra to Tiara,” so honestly, how could we not do this today?

Not all is sunshine as real life taught us a valuable lesson about perspective (trigger: COVID). We’re also thankful that small businesses survive and thrive, like Hoffman Plumbing who helped us not have a flooded basement.

We chatted about our favorite episodes out of the 100, plus we learned something about Amazon Kindle fraud. Yes, it appears people are fraudulently downloading our books (sigh).

We are especially thankful to you, our steady and loyal listeners.

Have a listen and be ready to listen to more fun from the CC and JT Amateur Hour. TIA! LYL!

Almost Over

Our 99th podcast, and we’re almost done with another cycle of writing-editing-publishing a book with “From Tundra to Tiara” being released tomorrow, Monday, January 9.

We talk at length about what we learned from our collaborative effort in writing a book, along with the challenges of contrasting writing styles and the English language itself.

We segue over to the biggest roadblock for independent writers: getting the word about our new book. Marketing is pushing that big rock up the mountain with no certainty that our efforts or money are producing good results (but we keep pushing).

We cite Sisyphus, Ernest Hemingway, Herman Wouk, and Billy Mack from “Love Actually” in this podcast (no spoilers). There’s a range of characters for you.

(One side note: I forgot to make “Sheriff” a free book for Sunday, January 8, so I extended the giveaway for all three books to Monday, January 9. Apologies for my error!)

This is a heck of an episode. Have a listen and take care of you. TIA! LYL!

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