So it's Christmas Day when I'm writing this- yesterday for you reader reading these lines.
Anyone who knows me, knows I've been running full speed for quite a bit of time, doing my best to meet every deadline, every obligation and responsibility I got, business, family, and ...

Remember to Be Kind (to yourself)
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Dec. 26, 2020Merry Christmas
Emma_Clare at 12:00AM, Dec. 25, 2020
It’s Christmas.
As we wind down from this exhausting year, take the time to relax and count all the rays of sunshine amongst the gloom. In spite of the upheaval in work structures, I have found more time for my hobbies and art. In spite of the lockdowns I ...
QUACKCAST 510 - STUFF WE SPEND OUT MONEY ON
Ozoneocean at 12:00AM, Dec. 22, 2020 LISTEN on our new player!
Listen on Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/adarunkduck-quackcast
Or TuneinRadio - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Books–Literature/Drunkduck-Quackcast-p1150194/
This is the time of year you typically spend your money on other people… but we wanted to talk about what we spend our money on when ...
Exploiting Death
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Dec. 19, 2020
When a character the story's cast and audience identify and are familiar with dies, the effect is, or should be, monumental.
Not only because that effectively ends that character's journey (and arc), but also because as an event it has immediate ramifications for all the surviving characters.
First ...
Welcoming a new member to the cast
Emma_Clare at 12:00AM, Dec. 18, 2020
I’ve been getting back into reading epic fantasy novels. Grand worlds, exotic locations and, of course, an ever increasing cast of characters. As I am one to never stop taking notes, even when I’m trying to chill, here are some things I noticed about introducing new characters that ...
QUACKCAST 509 - Saltcast
Ozoneocean at 12:00AM, Dec. 15, 2020 LISTEN on our new player!
Listen on Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/drunkduck-quackcast
Or TuneinRadio - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Books–Literature/Drunkduck-Quackcast-p1150194/
Escapist fiction Vs Gritty and real style fiction… Furwerk-Studio made an interesting post about this subject. They were annoyed at people who dismiss escapism as something lessor ...
How to Retcon
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Dec. 12, 2020
Retconning has a bad reputation.
Usually because it's done in big IPs and franchises when writers change and decide to drastically alter the development of a plotline, and do it by changing established canon about the characters or the history of the setting. Usually it's sloppily done, dealt ...
getting on track with subplots
Emma_Clare at 12:00AM, Dec. 11, 2020
A subplot is a co-current narrative that runs alongside the main plot, often providing context, character development or further world building. They can be used to build further tension, explore other perspectives or themes.
The theme is what the overall story means. A subplot allows you to lend more emotional ...
QUACKCAST 508 - Fan Service
Ozoneocean at 12:00AM, Dec. 8, 2020 LISTEN on our new player!
Listen on Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/adarunkduck-quackcast
Or TuneinRadio - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Books–Literature/Drunkduck-Quackcast-p1150194/
The Mandalorian on Disney Plus is a very popular series, it's particularly known at the moment because of the “fanservice”, i.e. fan rewards in the ...
Danko's Flaming Heart
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Dec. 5, 2020
I couldn't have been older than 11 when I read The Flaming Heart of Danko by Maxim Gorky. And boy, did it cut me with the finest of fine glass. Even now thinking about the short story hurts somewhere deep in my soul.
And yet, I love it so ...