Bards and Balladeers Podcast

Sometimes a story begins with a single step into the unknown. Whether through a wardrobe, a portal, a dream, a wormhole, or a fracture in time, we are fascinated by the experience of encountering real...

Why do we care about ignorant, simple, slow, delusional, or even genuinely foolish characters? Because they are part of reality, and stories lose something when every character is clever, educated, an...

They say it is all about the journey, but what makes the journey matter? We explore how traveling from place to place can drive plot, reveal cultures and histories, challenge characters, and slowly un...

Resistance what moves dramatic tension. Characters resist control, temptation, emotion, duty, and even themselves, all in ways that reveal who they truly are. We explore the kinds of resistance audien...

We are all young once, and then we grow old, but how do we understand and use aged characters before we reach that stage ourselves? Often cast as mentors, they bring experience, but we explore how to ...

We are drawn to mystery, but why? We explore how intrigue, hidden truths, and what lies behind the curtain pull audiences in, and why unanswered questions demand resolution. Then we break down how to ...

What is it like to write within someone else’s established intellectual property? We explore the risks of straying too far from the source material, and how, when handled well, new voices can expand a...

What distinguishes one voice from another, even when reduced to dialogue or lyrics? We explore how to separate your voice from your characters, using speech patterns and word choice to create distinct...

What truly gets a story moving, and what makes us stay? With limited information, something has to grab attention early and refuse to let go. We break down what makes an effective hook, how to use it ...

If it is not real life or recorded events, then what is it? We explore the value of “what if” and “what may be” storytelling, and how infinite possibilities can be shaped into grounded, believable sto...

Magic is a powerful tool in storytelling, but why do we add it in the first place? We explore the importance of consistent rules, the doors magic opens for a story, and the challenges it can create fo...

Strong language grabs attention immediately, but what does it reveal about a character beyond shock value? We examine how profanity can signal intensity, authenticity, or insecurity, and when it sharp...

What makes a character compelling when all we see is the facade they choose to show? We examine how anonymity and restraint can deepen intrigue, strengthen relatability, and allow audiences to engage ...

We explore why confident, competent characters are so satisfying to write and watch. Excellence on the page and screen feels rewarding, so we break down what makes it work and how to do it right.Never...

The use of weapons in stories can turn the tide of any battle. We discuss the weapons we find compelling, how they’re used effectively, and how their role changes from genre to genre.Bards and Ballade...

Let’s talk about alien characters and how they reflect the parts of ourselves we recognize, as well as those we don’t. How do they expand perspective and challenge our assumptions about humanity? In w...

Accessories to the main character, Secondary Characters help the plot but don’t determine its direction. Some may have their own agendas that unfold along the way, but overall, they serve to add flavo...

We’re joined by David Bruns as he shares his journey into writing with his co-author J. R. Olson following his service as a military officer in the Navy. Come listen to his unique perspective on story...

Gifts, sought-after quest items, rewards, and discovered artifacts. These are all essential elements found throughout many stories.Bards and Balladeers Podcast - bardsandballadeerspodcast.comDiscord -...

We welcome Jax Rose into our troupe and explore the world through his art and insight. As an art teacher, Jax shares his experiences as an artist and his hope to inspire creativity in others.Jax Rose ...

Different methods of getting from one place to another in story, and how they can become more than just a thing but a home, a stage, and sometimes a character on its own.Bards and Balladeers Podcast -...

Who steers the ship in fiction? Strong leaders shape the stories we love, guiding both characters and readers. Let’s explore how leadership drives a narrative forward.Bards and Balladeers Podcast - ba...

Happy Halloween! Let’s dive into the fun ways horror, suspense, foreshadowing, and terror enhance a story for our enjoyment, sometimes simply for the pure thrill of it!Bards and Balladeers Podcast - b...

Requested by a viewer, we discuss how dialogue moves plot, builds world, reveals character, adds flavor to dialogue, and shapes or destroys relationships. We explore how we struggle with writing certa...

We've teased it a bit as a potential "fourth leg of storytelling," but we haven't discussed it in depth. Shall we delve into how selection, emphasis, focus, perspective, person, and ...

The role of lies in stories, whether through manipulation, protection, or humor. Even things like maps lie. Ever been to Greenland?Bards and Balladeers Podcast - bardsandballadeerspodcast.comDiscord -...

Worldbuilding, character, and plot. Each can be inspired by any type of game, as each offers rich mechanics, art, worlds, and options to spark your imagination.Bards and Balladeers Podcast - bardsandb...

Let's discuss the potential role of maps in fiction as they are used within stories by the characters. Maps in games, maps as props, maps as catalysts for action. Or maps for humor, suspense, myst...

Talking about how characters' inner thoughts and the use of that technique to build stories.Bards and Balladeers Podcast - bardsandballadeerspodcast.comC.E. Linares (Cait) - linktr.ee/celinaresOzg...

We talk about what makes an ending fulfilling or not, and functions of those endings.Bards and Balladeers Podcast - bardsandballadeerspodcast.comC.E. Linares (Cait) - linktr.ee/celinaresOzgur K Sahin ...

We talk about animals and their importance in stories.Bards and Balladeers Podcast - bardsandballadeerspodcast.comC.E. Linares (Cait) - linktr.ee/celinaresOzgur K Sahin (Oz) - www.ozgurksahin.comM.R. ...

A discussion about the happy accidents that lead to beautiful moments in stories.Bards and Balladeers Podcast - bardsandballadeerspodcast.comC.E. Linares (Cait) - linktr.ee/celinaresOzgur K Sahin (Oz)...

The role of the mundane and suspended disbelief. When and how to address the mundane in stories.Bards and Balladeers Podcast - bardsandballadeerspodcast.comC.E. Linares (Cait) - linktr.ee/celinaresOzg...

A discussion about different roles that food can play in stories. 🦆------Bards and Balladeers Podcast - https://bardsandballadeerspodcast.comC.E. Linares (Cait) - https://linktr.ee/celinaresOzgur K S...

No story sounds as beautiful as when it is sung. ------ Bards and Balladeers Podcast - https://bardsandballadeerspodcast.com ...

We are Bards and Balladeers! Come find out who we are and what we are trying to do.https://bardsandballadeerspodcast.com ...