The Fanfiction Tapes

How to Write Talking Good

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 09:16:21 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Bryon to talk about some of the finer points of writing dialogue, such as giving characters distinct voices through affect and subtle uses of language.

You can read Bryon's fic "War Machines" (now completed) here on Ao3.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes; we are also now on Bluesky, @thefanfictiontapes.bsky.social, and on Tumblr, https://www.tumblr.com/the-fanfiction-tapes.

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A Surprise Tool That Will Help Us Later

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 03:20:28 GMT

On this episode, Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Sungrass to talk about foreshadowing, and some examples of our favorite uses of it as well as how it can go wrong.

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Trope Talk: Queerbaiting

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 03:09:59 GMT

On this episode, Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined once more by Cam, this time to talk about the issue of queerbaiting.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes; we are also now on Bluesky, @thefanfictiontapes.bsky.social.

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Story Spotlight: Harietta Lee

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 21:32:15 GMT

On this month's story spotlight episode, Maya and Ian attempt to have a coherent conversation about the Harrietta Lee series, a new adult urban fantasy series by Stephanie Ahn.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes; we are also now on Bluesky, @thefanfictiontapes.bsky.social.

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Seeing Rainbows

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 22:00:00 GMT

Ian, Maya and Dylan are joined again Caff, to talk about headcanons, reboots, rewrites, and other ways that queerness gets added to media.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes; we are also now on Bluesky, @thefanfictiontapes.bsky.social.

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Why the Evil Woman is Hot

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 10:18:04 GMT

Ian, Maya and Dylan are joined by friend of the show, Caff, for a brief history and discussion of a piece of American cinema history that has had a lasting impact on the media landscape: the infamous Hayes Code.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes; we are also now on Bluesky, @thefanfictiontapes.bsky.social.

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Airing Out the Closet

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 09:42:45 GMT

On this episode, Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by friend of the show Barry to talk about how queer characters and content has become more mainstream over time.

You can find Barry in various corners of the internet under the handle Greatness942.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes; we are also now on Bluesky, @thefanfictiontapes.bsky.social.

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Story Spotlight: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 08:51:37 GMT

Maya and Ian are joined by Inthretis for a discussion about the hit show She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.

You can find Inth's works on AO3 here: https://archiveofourown.org/users/inthretis

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes; we are also now on Bluesky, @thefanfictiontapes.bsky.social.

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The Death of the Author

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 09:52:53 GMT

Maya, Dylan and Ian are joined once again by Elizabeth as we discuss the concept of "The Death of the Author": the idea that what the author intended is not always the final word on what the story means.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes; we are also now on Bluesky, @thefanfictiontapes.bsky.social.

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Subtext Is For Cowards

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 07:24:55 GMT

On this episode, Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Zeroan to talk about themes in general—they're not just for 8th-grade book reports! What are some themes we like to engage with, both in works we create and media we enjoy? What are some themes we dislike, if any?

You can find Zeroan's works here on Archive of Our Own (we particularly recommend the Wifeses 'verse!)

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes; we are also now on Bluesky, @thefanfictiontapes.bsky.social.

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The Final Crockpot

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 07:33:28 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Steamed to talk about one of Maya's favorite themes, something she refers to as "The Final Crockpot". What is "The Final Crockpot", and what does it have to do with the YA and Superhero genres?

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes; we are also now on Bluesky, @thefanfictiontapes.bsky.social.

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Story Spotlight: RWBY

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 11:27:57 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Helena to talk about the show that brought us all together in the first place: Rooster Teeth's hit anime RWBY.

Helena is involved the Evermorrow, Dust Queen, and RWBYFR fan projects, and you can find her on social media as @a_mellowtea.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes; we are also now on Bluesky, @thefanfictiontapes.bsky.social.

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What Really Happens When the World Ends?

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 14:00:00 GMT

On this episode of the Fanfiction Tapes, Maya and Ian are joined by Cam to talk about realism in apocalyptic fiction.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes; we are also now on Bluesky, @thefanfictiontapes.bsky.social.

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What Makes A Dystopia

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 14:00:38 GMT

On this episode of the Fanfiction Tapes, Maya, Dylan, and Ian talk about what a dystopia is, and the various forms dystopias take in fiction.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes; we are also now on Bluesky, @thefanfictiontapes.bsky.social.

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Don't Like, Don't Read

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 05:17:55 GMT

Sometimes you will come across a fanwork that just totally clashes with your headcanons, or maybe an author has completely mischaracterized your blorbo. What should you do about this injustice?! On this episode, Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Cam to talk about the old fandom adage: Don't Like, Don't Read.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes; we are also now on Bluesky, @thefanfictiontapes.bsky.social.

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It's the End of the World

Sun, 05 Jan 2025 23:40:29 GMT

The Fanfiction Tapes is back with another season, and this time we're starting at the end. On this episode, Maya, Dylan, and Ian talk about various examples of apocalypses in fiction (and sometimes history).

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes; we are also now on Bluesky, @thefanfictiontapes.bsky.social.

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This Is My Trash

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 08:57:37 GMT

Everyone has that work they like that they can't in good conscience recommend to anyone else, right? Whether because it's just objectively bad, or it has problematic elements, it's definitely trash, but it's your trash. On this episode, Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Sungrass again to talk about our own beloved trash.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes; we are also now on Bluesky, @thefanfictiontapes.bsky.social.

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It's Not For Me

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 00:38:23 GMT

Welcome back to the Fanfiction Tapes! On the first episode of Season 4, Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Sungrass to talk about times each of us encountered media that we thought would be right up our alley, but turned out to be just "not for me".

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes; we are also now on Bluesky, @thefanfictiontapes.bsky.social.

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Our Quintessential Lists

Sun, 26 May 2024 13:00:53 GMT

On the penultimate episode of this season, Maya, Dylan, and Ian share and talk about our "quintessential lists" - works in various media and genres that have been especially influential on us.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.Seas

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Content Doesn't Equal Approval

Sun, 19 May 2024 13:00:42 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined once more by Cam to talk about how depicting something in your work does not mean that you approve of it.

If you want more of Cam you can find them on Tiktok, on Twitter, and on their podcast Hey, Besties, It's Cam (from the Internet).

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Streaming v. Theaters

Fri, 17 May 2024 02:06:12 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Wolf to discuss the pros and cons of releasing media for streaming versus theatrical releases.

You can listen to Wolf's other podcasts, the Berkcast and the Outcast, on youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/@berkcast4401

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Storytelling Through Music

Thu, 16 May 2024 21:49:48 GMT

Maya and Ian are joined by returning guest Elizabeth to talk about how music contributes to storytelling.

You can find Elizabeth's fan music and original songs on Youtube here, and her AO3 page is here. You can also follow her on tumblr at karinta-agogobell-unified.tumblr.com.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Story Spotlight: William Shakespeare

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 03:15:12 GMT

Maya, and Ian are joined by Bryon to talk about the most famous playwright in the English language, William Shakespeare, and the impact his work has had on writing, literature, and the English language.

You can find Bryon's latest project, "War Machines", on AO3 here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/54075940/chapters/140705587

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Livestreaming

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 08:42:28 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Shoober to talk about the relatively recent rise of livestreaming as a form of popular entertainment.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Professional Wrestling

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 06:53:53 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Barry once again for a dive into the world of professional wrestling.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Sports Stories

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 03:39:19 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Badger to talk about stories revolving around sports.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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The Book is Always Better

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 13:00:45 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Cam for a surprisingly long trope talk about adaptations.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Story Spotlight: Nimona

Sat, 30 Mar 2024 13:00:24 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Riley to talk about the Oscar-nominated animated movie Nimona.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Everything Wrong With J.K. Rowling

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 13:00:00 GMT

Dylan, Maya, and Ian are joined by Jaye to talk about Maya's favorite punching bag: J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series. What are her shortcomings as a writer and worldbuilder?

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Nobody's Perfect

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:45:17 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian talk about some of our favorite authors' weaknesses.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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The Best-Laid Plots

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 13:00:26 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Barry to talk about plans changing when you're writing. When should you make a change, and when should you avoid changing?

You can find Barry on YouTube here, on social media here, and you can read his fics on AO3 here.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Story Spotlight: Synoverse

Sun, 24 Mar 2024 22:05:18 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Steamed to talk about a small piece of original internet fiction: the superhero stories of the Synoverse. You can find the Synoverse on AO3 here.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Filing Off The Serials

Sun, 18 Feb 2024 14:00:35 GMT

Maya and Ian and joined by Elizabeth to talk about when you should just "file off the serials" and turn your fanfic into original work.

You can find Elizabeth's fan music and original songs on Youtube here, and her AO3 page is here.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Ship Wars

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 07:02:01 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined once again by Bryon to talk about shipping. What are common ships and rarepairs? Why do we write ships, especially the rare ones? What is the deal with "avatar-sexuals"?

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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That's Not How It Happened

Sun, 04 Feb 2024 14:00:04 GMT

Maya and Ian are joined once again by Cam to talk about AUs and why we as fans love them so much.

If you want more of Cam you can find them on Tiktok, on Twitter, and on their podcast Hey, Besties, It's Cam (from the Internet).

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Story Spotlight: Arcane

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 03:24:57 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian turn the spotlight on the hit animated series Arcane.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Playing With Colors

Sat, 27 Jan 2024 12:09:56 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Jaye to talk about Magic: the Gathering's "color pie" philosophy, and how you can use it in your writing to help develop your characters, their values, and even their conflicts.

The "Two Color Paladins" post referenced in the episode can be found here: https://www.tumblr.com/asteroidtroglodyte/721259610356547584/a-quick-tour-of-2-color-paladins

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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He Would Not Say That

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 07:59:57 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian discuss character design—not necessarily in terms of how they look, but in how you can give them a distinct and coherent personality.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Go Woke Or Go Broke

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 03:19:55 GMT

The Fanfiction Tapes is back for season 3! On this episode, Maya and Ian are joined by Riley to talk about the importance of diversity in your characters.

You can find Riley's work at https://www.rileyquinnthefool.com/.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Story Spotlight: Animorphs

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 19:06:51 GMT

On this, our final episode of season 2, Ian is taking over the show to introduce Maya to the first book series to hijack his brain: Animorphs.

The Fanfiction Tapes will return January 2024! Until then, if you like our work, please let us know. You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Trope Roundtable: Dramatic Irony

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 01:52:01 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Michael to talk about the trope of Dramatic Irony. What is dramatic irony, and how can you use it in your own writing?

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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If Only I Wasn't Me

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 01:11:45 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Wolf to talk about tragic heroes. Does a character have to be the main character to be a tragic hero? Do they even have to be heroic?

You can listen to Wolf's other podcasts, the Berkcast and the Outcast, here: https://www.youtube.com/@berkcast4401

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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It's a Classic For a Reason

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 00:53:12 GMT

Dylan, and Ian are joined by Helena (@a_mellowtea on Twitter, edelweiss on Discord) to talk about the genre of Tragedy, from the Classical Greek works like Oedipus and Antigone, through Shakespeare's Macbeth, to modern tragedies like Revenge of the Sith and Arcane.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Putting Characters in Situations

Sun, 05 Nov 2023 14:00:52 GMT

Maya and Ian are joined by Nat to talk about tragedy, drama, and angst, and how these three similar-feeling concepts overlap and differ.

You can find Nat’s works on AO3 here.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Story Spotlight: What Moves the Dead

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 13:00:04 GMT

Today Maya and Ian lose their gourds over What Moves the Dead, a novella by T. Kingfisher retelling the gothic horror classic short story The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe in a more grounded and queer fashion.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Trope Roundtable: New Weird

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 07:13:49 GMT

Maya and Ian are joined by returning guest Riley to discuss the genre of New Weird and the tropes associated with it.

You can find Riley's book and other works at www.rileyquinnthefool.com.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Things Mankind Was Not Meant To Know

Sun, 15 Oct 2023 13:00:23 GMT

ian and Dylan are joined by Barry (@greatness942) once again to talk about cosmic horror. What is cosmic horror? What inspired it's foundational author, H.P. Lovecraft? Does Steven King's IT count as cosmic horror? These questions and more are debated!

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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It Was A Dark and Stormy Night

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 09:14:10 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Barry (@greatness942) once more to talk about Gothic Fiction, the godfather of much of modern genre fiction. Does this Romantic-period genre still hold up today? What advice do we have for anyone trying to write in this mode? Listen and find out!

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Spooky Scary Skeletons

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 09:20:00 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Barry to talk about the genre of Horror.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Trope Roundtable: The Mohs Scale of Science Fiction Hardness

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 08:35:04 GMT

Steamed is back to talk with Maya, Dylan, and Ian about concept of science fiction "hardness". What makes a work of sci-fi "hard", and can this idea be extended to other works within the larger speculative fiction umbrella?

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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What Makes a Story "-Punk"?

Sun, 17 Sep 2023 13:00:56 GMT

Maya and Ian are joined once more by Elizabeth to talk about the various "punk" subgenres of sci-fi and speculative fiction: cyberpunk, steampunk, solarpunk, hopepunk... Where does the "punk" come from? What makes these genres "punk" - or not so punk as the case may be?

Check out Elizabeth's music: https://www.youtube.com/@agogobell28

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Military Science Fiction

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 03:40:09 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by returning guest Steamed to talk about the sci-fi subgenre of military sci-fi.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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A Rant About Speculative Fiction

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 01:33:47 GMT

For our first episode of Science Fiction Month, Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Cam to talk about sci-fi and speculative fiction. What's the difference? Cam will explain at length!

You can direct your further questions to Cam on tiktok at @hellocameo.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Trope Roundtable: All Myths Are True

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 13:00:49 GMT

For our final episode in Fantasy Month, Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by wifld to talk about the trope called "All Myths Are True", and how it's used both well and poorly in the Fantasy genre.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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To a New World

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 13:00:58 GMT

On our third episode of Fantasy Month, Dyland and Ian are joined by Wolf to talk about Portal Fantasy and Isekai. What's the difference between the two? Is Truck-Kun overhyped? These questions and more!

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Highs and Lows

Sun, 13 Aug 2023 13:00:30 GMT

Continuing our month on Fantasy, Maya and Ian are joined by guests Vesper and Jygg to discuss subgenres of Fantasy. What is the difference between High Fantasy and Low Fantasy? Where does The Witcher fall? These questions and more are discussed!

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Fantastic Tales

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 13:00:50 GMT

In this first episode of our Fantasy Month, Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Sun to talk about the genre of Fantasy. What distinguishes Fantasy from other speculative fiction genres like Science Fiction? What distinguishes Urban Fantasy, High Fantasy, or Low Fantasy? What are some of our favorite Fantasy works? All this and more are discussed!

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Story Spotlight: Discworld

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 13:00:10 GMT

In this episode, Maya and Ian are joined by Bryon to talk about the beloved Discworld fantasy series by Sir Terry Pratchett. How does Sam Vimes relate to The End of History? How much worldbuilding is enough? These questions and more are discussed!

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

[GNU pterry]

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Trope Roundtable: Rule of Funny

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 13:00:40 GMT

In this episode, Maya and Ian are once again joined by Riley to talk about the trope of the "Rule of Funny". What is the Rule of Funny, and when and how do you use it in your writing?

You can find Riley's work on their website: https://www.rileyquinnthefool.com/

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Tick Tock

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 06:29:53 GMT

In this episode, Maya and Ian are joined by Bryon to talk about how timing makes humor work.

You can find the article Bryon mentions here: https://deadspin.com/how-wile-e-coyote-explains-the-world-1752248034

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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A Podcast of Our Own

Sun, 09 Jul 2023 13:00:08 GMT

In this episode, Maya and Ian are joined by returning guest Badger to talk about satire and parody.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Punching Up

Sun, 02 Jul 2023 13:00:48 GMT

The Fanfiction Tapes is back with Season 2, and this season we will be taking a look at the genre and aesthetic side of writing. To start things off, throughout the month of July we will be talking about Comedy.

On our first episode of Comedy Month, Maya and Ian are joined by Sarah to talk about the concept of “punching up” versus “punching down”, and more generally about how to make jokes about people without being a dick.

If you like our work, please let us know! You can write to us at fanfictapes@gmail.com or reach out to us on Twitter @TheFanfictionTapes.

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Trope Roundtable: MacGuffins

Sun, 28 May 2023 20:26:16 GMT

On this episode, Maya and Ian are joined by Vesper to talk about the trope of the MacGuffin. What is or is not a MacGuffin, and how can you use this trope in your writings?

This is the final episode of Season 1 of The Fanfiction Tapes! We will return with new episodes starting July 2nd.

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From Fluff to Armageddon

Fri, 26 May 2023 08:20:54 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Romke to talk about setting the stakes in your story.

You can follow Dylan's various other projects as XVGDylan and Threads of Dragons on YouTube and XVGDylan on Twitch, and you can support him on Patreon at www.patreon.com/threadsofdragons.

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What a Twist!

Wed, 24 May 2023 08:30:37 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined once again by Elizabeth to discuss plot twists in stories, what makes them work, what makes them flop, and examples both good and bad.

Elizabeth's music can be found at youtube.com/@agogobell28.

Dylan's various other projects are XVGDylan and Threads of Dragons on YouTube, XVGDylan on Twitch, and you can support him on Patreon at www.patreon.com/threadsofdragons.

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Plot 101

Sun, 07 May 2023 13:00:16 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined once again by Cam to talk about plots, plot structures, and plot twists, and how stories and shows have done them well or poorly.

You can support Cam's work via Patreon at www.patreon.com/alienwrites.

You can support Dylan's projects over on his YouTube channels, XVGDylan and Threads of Dragons, on Twitch at XVGDylan, or subscribe to www.patreon.com/threadsofdragons.

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Story Spotlight: The Cosmere

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 13:00:25 GMT

Maya and Ian are joined by Riley Quinn to talk about Brandon Sanderson's multi-series epic fantasy setting, the Cosmere.

You can find Riley's book, "The Fool, The Lovers, The Devil" online at https://www.rileyquinnthefool.com.

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Trope Roundtable: Apocalypse How

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 09:29:54 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Cam to talk about tropes around the end of the world as we know it.

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Picking Your Palette

Sun, 16 Apr 2023 22:11:13 GMT

This week, Ian, Dylan, and Maya discuss the various ways that genre conventions and tropes impact the way a writer builds their world.

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Setting the Stage

Sun, 09 Apr 2023 13:00:05 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Steamed to talk about the art of showing your world to readers, and the various do's and don'ts of exposition.

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Collaborative Storytelling

Sun, 02 Apr 2023 13:00:54 GMT

We start off our Worldbuilding Month with a case study. Join Dylan, Maya, Ian, and our guest this week, Jax, as we discuss Dylan's own worldbuilding project: the world of Zinnade.

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Trope Roundtable: The 5-Man Band

Sun, 26 Mar 2023 13:00:52 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Riley Quinn, author of The Fool, The Lovers, The Devil (www.rileyquinnthefool.com) to discus the trope of the 5-Man Band and related tropes about characters and teams.

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The Real MVP

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 06:25:56 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined once again by Jaye (@AlphaJaye07) to talk about the real MVPs of storytelling: the antagonists! What sort of archetypes do antagonistic characters fall into, what are some of our favorites, and how can you write a good antagonist in your story?

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Who's This Show About, Again?

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:52:47 GMT

Dylan and Ian are joined by Barry to talk about side characters and minor characters, and how they relate to the greatest plotline in professional wrestling.

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Heroes, Anti-Heroes, and Villains

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 03:34:41 GMT

On the first episode of Character Month, Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by Badger (@TheHomelyBadger on Twitter and AO3) to talk about writing protagonists, and the differences between a "protagonist" and a "hero".

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Trope Roundtable: And There Was Only One Bed

Sun, 26 Feb 2023 14:00:22 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian discuss one of Maya's personal favorite tropes, "And There Was Only One Bed", including the history of the trope and some of its uses in fanfiction, classic literature, and gaming.

The article mentioned in the episode can be found here: https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/theres-only-one-bed-fanfiction-trope

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Shipping, Part 2

Sun, 19 Feb 2023 14:00:39 GMT

Platonic Relationships

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Shipping, Part 1

Sun, 12 Feb 2023 14:00:30 GMT

Maya and Ian are joined by Jaye to talk about romantic relationships in fiction, and the way that fandom interacts around that.

You can find Jayeʻs works and social media here:

https://archiveofourown.org/users/AlphaJaye071

https://alphajaye071.tumblr.com

https://twitter.com/AlphaJaye071

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Fantastic Relationships and Where To Find Them

Sun, 05 Feb 2023 14:00:01 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian are joined by their friend Elizabeth to talk about relationships both romantic and platonic, and dispense advice for the straights on writing queer relationships.

You can find Elizabeth's original music on Youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/@agogobell28.

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Story Spotlight: Gideon the Ninth

Sun, 29 Jan 2023 14:00:08 GMT

On this special bonus episode, Maya, Ian, and Cam discuss Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, a book that is near and dear to our hearts and which we all feel very normally about.

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Trope Roundtable: Once Upon a Time

Sun, 22 Jan 2023 14:00:29 GMT

Maya, Dylan, and Ian discuss the origins and uses of stock openings in storytelling, such as the classic fairytale opening "Once upon a time."

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Begin at the Beginning, Part 2

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 14:00:00 GMT

Once you have your characters, they'll need a world to interact in and with. On this episode, Barry joins Maya and Ian to discuss creating plots and building worlds.

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Begin at the Beginning, Part 1

Sun, 08 Jan 2023 14:00:03 GMT

So you've settled down to write, but where to start? How about with your characters! On this episode, Maya and Dylan discuss the process of character creation for stories.

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How to Start

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 14:00:00 GMT

One of the biggest hurdles for fans who want to start telling their own stories is simply getting started. On this episode, Maya, Dylan, and special guest Cam offer advice and insights on overcoming that barrier and starting to write.

Some writing resources:

List of writing Discord servers: https://top.gg/servers/tag/writing
The Submission Grinder: https://thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com/
Query Tracker: https://querytracker.net/

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