I think we are all feeling the political burnout. So let's instead talk about the politics found in fantasy fiction. That sounds way more fun, right?بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

In this episode, we dive into the art of writing spooky story settings. Learn how to create chilling atmospheres with subtle details, unpredictable environments, and psychological tricks that will keep your readers on edge. Perfect for horror and thriller writers!بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

It's our Books on the Fives, and this time we're talking about murrrrrderrrr.... From Agatha Christie to the newest WhoDoneIt, we talk about the murder mysteries we have enjoyed and what made them so much fun. The catch - it's a mystery to BOTH OF US!بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

Explore the world of character phobias in fiction. We’ll show you how to use fear effectively, from famous examples to tips on integrating phobias to enhance character development and plot.بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

Welcome to SPOOKY SEASON! We are talking about what scares you... about being a writer. Being a writer can be fun, but can also be scary at times. In this episode, we talk about what scares us as writers and authors, and it might be the same thing that you worry about too. See? We are just like you!بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

Discover how to name your characters with meaning, memorability, and respect. In this episode, we explore cultural significance, symbolism, and tips for avoiding common naming pitfalls in writing. Perfect for authors of any genre!بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

I know you notice them, when an author reuses words over and over and it just becomes annoying. We will talk about the words that we reuse as authors and which ones we notice in other writing.بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

Unlock the power of biomes in storytelling! In this episode, we dive deep into how unique settings can shape characters, enhance plot, and drive themes. Learn how to craft immersive worlds that captivate readers.بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

What are we actually talking about? We both love rain and storms, the smell of it, the emotion of it. Rain can build a mood in your story that might be theperfect touch to perfectly setting your scene. Here we talk about about rain and how it's used to complement a moment.بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

Is Star Wars sci-fi or fantasy? We dive deep into its space opera roots, exploring iconic elements, and the balance between technology and magic in this epic pop culture showdownبقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

So many of us consume books through audio books. In my opinion, it's not cheating. It's, at least, something. Audio form is really the ONLY way anyone can get through the unabridged Les Miserables. Am I right? Listen to us talk about how we listen to audiobooks, what we think if AI audio reading, and how indie authors can actually get their books i…

Master the art of writing powerful character deaths. In this episode, we explore why character deaths matter, how to make them impactful, and the key techniques to ensure they resonate with your readers.بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

Have you ever watched a movie and saw that it was first a book? A lot of cinema is taken from our favorite books. Sometimes it's better than the book and sometimes it's not as good. Here is a list of our favorite books that were made into movies. Maybe they are the same as yours.بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

Dive into the whimsical world of lighthearted sidekicks with Jodi and Candace in Episode 4 of Squirrel! 🎙️ Whether you're a fan of Geralt and Jaskier's mismatched friendship or the heartwarming bond between Percy and Grover, this episode is packed with delightful insights on creating those charming, laughter-inducing side characters that perfectly …

I bet you have had an interesting job here or there. How has that affected your writing? Have you added something from your past working life into your novels? Want to hear ours and other famous writers? Hint: there is at least one dead body.بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

In this episode, we dive into the invincible world of plot armor—where heroes dodge bullets, outrun explosions, and always live to tell the tale. Is it luck, skill, or just lazy writing? We’ll explore the good, the bad, and the utterly ridiculous ways characters survive against all odds. Join us for a fun and insightful look at plot armor!…

Thank you for supporting us for an entire year. It has been a joy doing this podcast. This season our theme is "Writing the Wave of Creativity. Pretty clever huh? We want you to WRITE the wave with us.بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

As a grand finale to celebrate the end of our first season, Candace and Jodi picked our favorite clips from our favorite episodes to share with you. Come stroll down our virtual memory lane and relive the laughs, the good natured ribbing, and of course, all of the Squirrley moments. Buckle in, it's a wild ride!…

بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

Like something we shared today or in the past? Give us a tip! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/squirrelpodcast If you like what we do and would like to give year-round support, check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/squirrelpodcast Also, we have a spiffy website: https://squirrelpodcast.com/ If you're interested in sponsoring a show, head here:…

Look at all those writers out there and how they just crank book after book after book. They must have a bang-out process to help them do that. So what do you do if your muse decides to sleep in or even worse, not even show up to your planned meeting scheduled in this process? Good question. This is what we explore in this episode. What happens whe…

بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

Here we are, getting ready for summer. Do you have all your summer plans ready? Is your sunblock on? Got your bug spray handy? And what about your reading list? How's it going? Does your plans involve books? Well, they should. We thought we would help you with your summer prep and provide you a small list of books that just make you feel good. They…

بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

We all had a pretty major eclipse happen and it was an experience of astronomical significance. This week we're talking about all these phenomena and how they inspire us. And, let's not forget mythology and folklore and all those creepy stories that have to explain rituals as well. Something has to explain it, right?…

Embark on a literary adventure through the cosmos with this, our 42nd episode. Today we celebrate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. We'll explore how Douglas Adams' masterpiece can help tackle writer's block, plot twists, and finding your unique voice, not to mention share some of our favorite quotes!…

We know you're curious. Radiation is fascinating and super dangerous. It's basically magic. I mean, how did all those superheroes get their powers? In this week's episode, what better way to celebrate Oppenheimer's birthday than talking about radiation. We dive into this particular part of our world and workshop how it can be added to your fiction.…

Dive into the enchanting realm of language as we explore the art of infusing prose with poetic flair. In this episode, we uncover the secrets behind crafting vivid imagery, evoking emotions, and creating rhythmic flow in your writing. Join us to discover how to captivate readers and elevate your prose to new heights.…

It's that time of year again. That's right. National Poetry Month. April is the month when we celebrate wordsmiths who have the flare for the dramatic. But poetry is so much more than just rhyming verses, there is so much heart and emotion poured into craft that affect us deeply. Listen as we celebrate the delicate art of poetry.…

بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

Look at all the fuzzy, cuteness around us. It's Spring and we are talking about our furry companions. Not just the ones that hog the bed and demand food... all... the... time, but the ones that can help you in a battle against giant trolls or the ones that have psionic power and can read your mind. if you like animals, sidekicks, or RPGs you'll lik…

بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

Like something we shared today or in the past? Give us a tip! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/squirrelpodcast If you like what we do and would like to give year-round support, check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/squirrelpodcast Also, we have a spiffy website: https://squirrelpodcast.com/ If you're interested in sponsoring a show, head here:…

بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

If you're going to be writing romance, you'll need to know what tropes readers love and hate. Dive in with an episode that discusses Candace and Jodi's favorite and hated romance tropes.بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

Are you ready to tackle that Nano project? We all know it's a big mess of a story right now. Cramming out 50k words is never going to be perfect. So it's time to brush off these self-editing tools to get you back motivated to tackling that project.بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

One of the first things a reader reads is description. Hair is always a part of that. Hair can be very important to your character and getting hair right is important for ALL your characters (well, not the bald ones). Here is what Candace (a silky straight Norwegian blonde) and Jodi (a curly red-head Scottish lass) have to say about writing differe…

It’s a new year and the perfect time to start a new project. Whether it’s a short story, a novella, or a full-blown novel, those first few pages can be daunting. Today we’re talking all about what you can do to make starting a new project both fun and rewarding. This episode is sponsored by the audiobook of To Dream In Daylight by Candace J. Thomas…

Alrighty! Welcome to a whole new year full of books and book recommendations! All you readers out there, get out your pencils (or bookmarks) and get ready to hear what Candace and Jodi have to recommend and what is on their reading list. This episode is sponsored by the audiobook of To Dream In Daylight by Candace J. Thomas, narrated by Liz Christe…

بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

Here we come 2024! And it's once again time to make those goals that we don't plan on finishing. But in this episode, Jodi has come up with a plan to cater your goal setting with your personality. It's a bit mind-blowing, so you won't want to miss it!بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

Finally... Writing Contests. When we started this podcast, this idea was fresh on our minds, since both of us had won an award recently. But, we had way too much to talk about before getting to this episode. So, we are really excited and way prepared to talk about this subject. Writing Contests, GO!بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner

Ugh... it's our Quidditch episode... What do we mean? Well, how about this. Quidditch was an essential part of Harry Potter. Was it the most exciting part? Not really, but still critical. THAT'S what we mean by the Murky Middle. The parts that have to happen to get your characters from A to B.بقلم Candace J. Thomas and Jodi L. Milner