Character Creation Archives - Sacha Black

285 Writing an Identity Not Your Own with Alex Temblador

Sacha Black — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 05:00:41 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 285 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Alex Temblador all about writing an identity not your own.

In this episode we cover:

Digging into identity when crafting characters
Recognising our own unconscious biases
What intersectionality is – and its importance in writing
Considerations when writing dialogue and accents
Receiving feedback from sensitivity readers

Links I mentioned:

Girl Games: NSFW Special Edition Kickstarter

Find out more about Alex:

@Alex_Temblador (IG, Threads, Twitter)

Writing an Identity Not Your Own

AlexTemblador.com

Rebel of the Week is: Morgan
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

2 new patrons this week, welcome and thank you to Rachel Beaney and Gerry Fitzgerald. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

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282 Crafting Conflict & Tension with A.Y. Chao

Sacha Black — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 05:00:39 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 282 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Alice Yu all about crafting conflict and tension in our stories.

In this episode we cover:

Exploring themes of identity and belonging
The difference between conflict and tension
Building sustainable tension across a novel and a series
How to create subtle conflict between characters
Using cliffhangers vs softer hooks

Links I mentioned:

Girl Games: NSFW Special Edition Kickstarter

Find out more about A.Y.:

Instagram @ay_chao

Shanghai Immortal

Rebel of the Week is: Jenn Storey
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Chris. A big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

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266 Monster Romance with Jason Pinter

Sacha Black — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 05:00:47 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 266 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Jason Pinter all about writing monster romances.

In this episode we cover:

Different writing approaches for different genres
Creating realistic monsters
Advice for switching between genres
Balancing different elements when crafting a story
Keys for reaching a wide audience

Links I mentioned:

Preorder House of Crimson Curses direct from me

Preorder House of Crimson Curses on all platforms

Find out more about Jason:

Tiktok @JerseyBookGuy

Instagram @JasonPinter

Read Dating & Dismemberment

Rebel of the Week is: Lena

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Elle Thorpe. A big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

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260 Crafting Multidimensional Villains with Dana Pittman

Sacha Black — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 05:00:24 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 260 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Dana Pittman all about crafting multidimensional villains.

In this episode we cover:

Elements of a multidimensional villain
Villain’s relationship with the protagonist
Common mistakes when creating villains
Developing back stories that add depth
Building anticipation in your story

Links I mentioned:

Support my Kickstarter

Find out more about Dana:

Danja Tales

Rebel of the Week is: Matthew

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Kylie Haddix. A big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

This episode is sponsored by Fictionary

Find out more about Fictionary StoryCoach Certification here.

As a rebel listener you can get 25% off StoryTeller, StoryTeller Premium and certification with code REBEL25.

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259 Using the Enneagram to Find the YOU in Your Story With Dani Abernathy

Sacha Black — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 05:00:39 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 259 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Dani Abernathy all about using the enneagram to help infuse “you” into your story.

In this episode we cover:

How to use the enneagram in your work
Infusing your personal experiences into your worldbuilding
Fully embracing the “you” in your stories
Steps for worldbuilding and story development
Balancing an immersive universe with multidimensional characters
Why stories have the power to change the world

Links I mentioned:

Follow my Kickstarter

Find out more about Dani:

Instagram @daniabernathyauthor

Untapped Writing Superpower Quiz

Rebel of the Week is: Poornima

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Julia Gandrud. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY KOBO WRITING LIFE

Visit Kobo Writing Life here, read the Kobo Writing Life blog here, and listen to their podcast here.

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253 Thrillers for Young Adults with Kara A Kennedy

Sacha Black — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 05:00:39 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 253 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Kara A Kennedy all about writing thrillers for young adults.

In this episode we cover:

Tips for writing toxic characters and dialogue
Approaching sensitive topics in a way that is respectful to survivors
Checks and considerations when writing about toxic queer relationships
Blending supernatural elements into a natural story
Finding your target audience as a YA author

Find out more about Kara:

I Will Never Leave You

Instagram @karaaislinn

Rebel of the Week is: Merren

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

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248 Planning and Writing Series with Inessa Sage

Sacha Black — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 05:00:27 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 248 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Inessa Sage all about planning and writing series.

In this episode we cover:

How planning series differs across genres
Approaching the overall story arc in a cozy series
Tools and techniques to ensure continuity
Character development across multiple books
Elements for crafting a satisfying series conclusion
Marketing to cozy readers

Links I mentioned:

Preorder House of Crimson Kisses at books2read.com/crimsonkiss or direct from me at rubyroe.co.uk

Find out more about Inessa

Rebel of the Week is: Karen

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

2 new patrons this week, welcome and thank you to Holly Dunn and Phyllis Kaelin. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

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242 How to Use Tropes with Cindy Dees

Sacha Black — Wed, 15 May 2024 05:00:24 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 242 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Cindy Dees all about using tropes more effectively.

In this episode we cover:

Why tropes hook readers
Differences between internal and external tropes
Craft tips to make our tropes resonate with readers
How to market tropes better
Integrating tropes in a character’s back story

Find out more about Cindy:

CindyDees.com

CynthiaDees.com

Rebel of the Week is: Rosie

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Gigi Rivers. A big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

This episode is sponsored by Fictionary

Find out more about Fictionary StoryCoach Certification here.

As a rebel listener you can get 25% off StoryTeller, StoryTeller Premium and certification with code REBEL25.

The post 242 How to Use Tropes with Cindy Dees appeared first on Sacha Black.

238 How to Write Trans Characters with Dharma Kelleher

Sacha Black — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 05:00:41 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 238 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Dharma Kelleher all about how to write trans characters.

In this episode we cover:

The importance of representation in our books
Writing trans and queer characters when cisgendered
Harmful tropes and stereotypes to avoid
Working with a sensitivity reader
Balancing educating readers and creating an engaging story

Find out more about Dharma:

Rebel of the Week is: Mélanie

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

No new patrons this week, but a big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

This episode is sponsored by Fictionary

Find out more about Fictionary Software + Fictionary Live! here.

As a rebel listener you can get 25% off StoryTeller, StoryTeller Premium and certification with code REBEL25.

The post 238 How to Write Trans Characters with Dharma Kelleher appeared first on Sacha Black.

234 How to Write LitRPG with Michael Chatfield

Sacha Black — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 05:00:29 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 234 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Michael Chatfield all about writing LitRPG.

In this episode we cover:

What is LitRPG and how it differs from fantasy
Major craft pillars of LitRPG
Elements of worldbuilding to focus on
Creating game mechanics, rules, and in-game quests
Common business models for LitRPG authors

Links I mentioned:

Storygarden Summit March 19 – 22

Find out more about Michael:

Order The Four Horsemen from Michael’s store

Order The Four Horsemen from Amazon

Ream

Rebel of the Week is: Madeline

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Melissa. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY KOBO WRITING LIFE

Visit Kobo Writing Life here, read the Kobo Writing Life blog here, and listen to their podcast here.

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