Chaz Brenchley Archives - Writers Drinking Coffee

Episode 185 – Welcome Back Brenda Clough

Brenda Clough is a prolific Asian-American Sci-Fi writer, returning to visit with us after another book and novella have hit the stands – Cleo’s Scroll (Dante Sci-Fi!) and then A Door in His Head – which won an award! We chat about historical Sci-Fi, lament over the lack of shark-based deities in the world, and she reports about the latest Marian Halcombe book. … Continue…Episode 185 – Welcome Back Brenda Clough

Episode 184 – Interview with Kari Sperring

Kari Sperring, amazing author and medieval historian, has written a splendid new Arthurian novel called The Book of Gaheris. Join us as she talks about developing a new version of an Arthurian legend through historic research, reading the classics, and re-imagining the status quo as it very well may have been touched by magic. … Continue…Episode 184 – Interview with Kari Sperring

Episode 183 – Journey Back to Liadon

We welcome back Sharon Lee and Steve Miller to talk about their 25th Liadon book – Salvage Right, from Baen Books. They tell us about the space station that straddles two realities, as we debate where the cats might come in and own the place. There’s also an in-depth discussion of the dinkus and the telling detail, so you can learn something new! … Continue…Episode 183 – Journey Back to Liadon

Episode 181-Interview with David Gerrold

In which the WDC crew geeks out with joy at the presence of David Gerrold, writer of the silver screen and television, novels, short stories, and limericks – and teacher of writing to others. David talks to us about science fiction in the early days, the trend toward social justice awareness and addressing current problems in new ways. From Sleestacks and Tribbles to the strike lines of WGA and SAG-Aftra, David walks us through how Hollywood has changed, and where it needs to go so that everyone involved in the industry can live long and prosper. … Continue…Episode 181-Interview with David Gerrold

Episode 180 – Alma Alexander re-releases WorldWeavers

Your WDC crew welcomes back Alma Alexander, who has won a great struggle with publishing rights to re-release her trilogy “WorldWeavers” with a bonus new fourth book coming out this November! WorldWeavers has all the magical youth and schooling of Certain Bestselling Books and Movies – but we like them even better! WorldWeavers posits a world where everyone knows about magic – it’s even regulated. Alma seamlessly blends American Spiritualism and gods, with fae-like creatures, magic, computers, and a scrappy bunch of young students you’ll adore. Thea is a splendid young heroine, and we think you’ll like her as much as we do. … Continue…Episode 180 – Alma Alexander re-releases WorldWeavers

Episode 172 – Make the Adventure you want to play in: GM talk with Norman Lutes

In which we discuss how to write – and run – good role-playing games with Norman Lutes (He/him). GMing and game writing have a lot in common with good story writing. For example: Reading is to writing as playing is to GMing.
And: “What do you start with? A story? A setting?” …smacks of Plotting vs Pantsing or Game-mastering is a combination of critical path project management and storytelling in the fireside tradition or Writing a game is like writing software – spend the majority of your time planning for exceptions and errors.
And: Spoon-feeding vs. player involvement: it’s a balance or You can lead players back to the path if they go astray. But you need to have done some world-building, or at least world-stealing. Don’t forget to file off the serial numbers or If you ask your players for their characters’ backstories, don’t be surprised if they’re not interested when you fold it into the story.
Bonus: Role-playing via email: The story, backstory, player’s interests, and world-building all come together. AND it’s self-documenting! … Continue…Episode 172 – Make the Adventure you want to play in: GM talk with Norman Lutes

Episode 171 – Interview with Tami Veldura

Tami is an enby/aro/ace author of queer fiction, and we all admire their stunning productivity during the pandemic! Tami also writes as S.T. Lynn, London Kemaker, and Anna Morgan – and offers clarity for new writers on how to establish a brand with a particular name to make it easy for readers to find more of what they love. Their storylines feature queer characters, found families, and the happily ever afters we all could use more of in today’s zeitgeist. … Continue…Episode 171 – Interview with Tami Veldura

Episode 170 – A Christmas Ghost story written by Denise Tanaka

In which some of the members of the Flying Kerrs writing group read aloud a Christmas Ghost story written by Denise Tanaka. Sit back and enjoy – Don’t Go Upstairs. … Continue…Episode 170 – A Christmas Ghost story written by Denise Tanaka

Quill pen in a lounge chair drinking coffee

Blog Posted on January 23, 2023September 12, 2023

The Plant Rejects the Gardener

Every gardener kills a lot of plants. It goes with the territory. Sometimes it’s even deliberate…and it can be just the same with writing … Continue…The Plant Rejects the Gardener

Episode 167 – Interview with Colm O’Shea

Colm O’Shea is a Clinical Associate Professor with the Expository Writing Program at NYU. Today he joins us to talk about his first science fiction book, Claiming De Wayke. It’s a marvelous dystopian novel set in the near future in a post-plague apocalyptic Ireland. Colm weighs many interesting topics in his book: What is the nature of consciousness? What does it mean to be human, and where does dignity lie? What is important, and what is fulfillment? Tayto is a charming tour guide for the reader into and out of his favorite place – the world he experiences through his VR halo – and a highly reluctant participant from time to time in reality, called by him de Wayke. … Continue…Episode 167 – Interview with Colm O’Shea