Episodes

What do we wish we’d known when we started writing? In this episode of Working Writers, Pete and Bryan share hard-earned lessons about finding critique partners, surviving the submission process, navigating revisions, and budgeting for publication. From overcoming writer’s block to accepting that everything takes longer than expected, they explore the advice we’d give our younger writing selves.

Pete Aldin and Bryan Chaffin tackle the old plotters-versus-pantsers divide and ask whether the distinction is really as clear as writers make it out to be. Along the way, they explore getting unstuck, taming sprawling drafts, genre expectations, and why sometimes the best way forward is to step outside your usual writing process. Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:32 Are Plotters Really Pantsers? 09:08 Can a Pantser Become a Plotter? 16:15 Too Many Subplots and POVs 22:40 Know Your Genre’s Expectati...

Bryan and Pete offer up a live edit of one of Pete’s dark fantasy stories, working through the prose one sentence at a time. Along the way, they explore tightening sentences, cutting unnecessary words, trusting your reader, and what writers can learn from talking through an edit instead of simply accepting or rejecting changes. Chapters 00:00 Introductions 02:24 The Resurrection of Timaeus 03:38 Tightening the Prose 09:20 When to Push Back on an Edit 13:30 Trust Your Reader 20:15 Reorderi...

Pete Aldin and Bryan Chaffin explore how writers can choose what to work on next when too many possibilities lead to analysis paralysis. They also discuss BookBub Featured Deals, what they can do for book sales, and Pete’s recent success with the platform. Chapters 00:00:00 Introductions 00:00:26 What Should You Write Next? 00:03:25 Pete’s Writing Career So Far 00:07:47 Five Possible Writing Projects 00:15:37 Bryan Coaches Pete Through the Decision 00:23:14 Getting Past Analysis Paralysis...

Pete Aldin and Bryan Chaffin explore whether writing competitions are worth entering, from the benefits of awards and feedback to the realities of judging and rejection. They also discuss what writers can learn by becoming judges themselves—and why a strong opening matters when your book is competing for attention. Chapters 00:00 Introductions 00:22 Are Writing Competitions Worth It? 05:33 The Benefits of Entering Competitions 09:20 Winning, Placing, and the Value of Recognition 15:43 How ...

Pete Aldin and Bryan Chaffin explore how to make your characters more interesting, from finding unexpected flaws and contradictions to challenging your assumptions about who they are. They discuss techniques for pushing beyond obvious character choices, making protagonists as compelling as their supporting cast, avoiding stereotypes, and using real-world observations to create characters who feel distinctive and alive. Chapters: 00:00 Introductions 00:20 Are Great Characters Discovered or Des...

Pete Aldin and Bryan Chaffin discuss why every writer needs good critique partners—and how to find them. They explore what makes a critique relationship work, why different partners bring different strengths, how to give and receive useful feedback, and why critiquing someone else’s work can make you a better writer. Plus, they look at how many outside readers a manuscript needs and the value of seeking perspectives beyond your usual circle. Chapters: 00:00 Introductions 00:20 What Is a Criti...

Pete Aldin and Bryan Chaffin present the writing Battle Royale: Scrivener vs. Word. They break down the relative merits of both apps, from drafting and organizing a novel to editing, collaboration, and publishing. Which tool does what better—and which one belongs in your writing workflow? Chapters: 00:00:00 Introductions 00:00:14 Why Bryan Writes in Scrivener 00:10:24 Why Pete Switched to Word 00:15:07 Editing and Working with Feedback 00:17:32 Formatting and Publishing with Scrivener 00:...

Pete Aldin and Bryan Chaffin dig into writing and critique groups: why they matter, what writers can learn from critiquing other people’s work, and how the right group can make you a better writer. They also talk about online versus in-person groups, finding writers who share your level of commitment, recognizing when a group isn’t right for you, and more. Chapters: 00:00 Introductions 00:56 Why Writers Need Writing Groups 06:28 Learning by Critiquing Other Writers 11:58 What Different Writ...

Pete Aldin and Bryan Chaffin talk about trusting your readers, revealing worldbuilding through your characters, and resisting the urge to explain everything you’ve created. They look at examples from science fiction and fantasy, discuss when backstory actually belongs on the page, and explain why it’s perfectly fine—even desirable—for readers not to understand everything right away. Chapters: 00:00 Introductions 01:10 Why Info Dumps Hurt Your Story 06:58 Trust Your Reader 11:10 Worldbuildin...