Info

Lasers Dragons And Keyboards

A podcast for readers and writers of science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction.
RSS Feed Subscribe in Apple Podcasts
Lasers Dragons And Keyboards
2024
March


2023
June
April


2022
October
September


2021
November


2020
May
January


2019
November
October


2018
April
January


2017
November
October
September
August
June
May
April
March
February
January


2016
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


Categories

All Episodes
Archives
Categories
Now displaying: Category: Interviews
Sep 29, 2016

This week on the show, we have Celesta Thiessen, the author of the Super Seven series. She hails from Manitoba (I think she's our first Canadian author!), and had a lot to share 14528234_1070374343011379_179943636_n about her series and writing.

In Episode 41:

  • Celesta's favorite parts of writing the series.
  • An impromptu author reading of her favorite scene from Two of a Kind!
  • The science behind her superhero powers in her books.
  • Celesta's favorite superhero...and how he figures into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We spend some time analyzing the movie.
  • Many bunny trails on the parts of the hosts...

51e7kutpu7l-_sy346_

 

Links!

Celesta Thiessen
The Super Seven
Salt Eden (Celeste's new book for adults!)14518728_1070379669677513_467426836_n
The Physics of Superheroes
Kathy Tyers
Kerry Nietz

 

Sep 19, 2016

10333345_853135158049735_8229582567711318159_o

This week on LDK, we have a wonderful time talking with Laura VanArendonk Baugh (try saying that three times fast!) We managed to get a few details about ancient Japanese culture, of which, Laura seems to be a near-expert on.

kitsune-tsuki-cover-copy-small

In Episode 40

  • We nearly kill Aaron with Laura's response to plotting  problems. Laura definitely had us in stitches with this one.
  • We talk Scrivener, which we're delighted to find she makes use of it, though not 100% of the time.ebook-cover
  • Laura's winning editing process.
  • Laura's reasons for eating chocolate!
  • Training your subconscious.
  • The non-coffee-drinking writers!
  • Crazy research--and how it's paid off in Laura's life! (And don't Google search the one thing she mentions!)
  • Some of Laura's marketing techniques (hint: a lot of it has to do with personality!)


Links!
Laura VanArendonk Baugh
Buy her books!
Dave Duncan (The Gilded Chain)
Susan Spann (Shenobi Mysteries)

Sep 16, 2016

10333345_853135158049735_8229582567711318159_o

This week on LDK, we have a wonderful time talking with Laura VanArendonk Baugh (try saying that three times fast!) We managed to get a few details about ancient Japanese culture, of which, Laura seems to be a near-expert on.

kitsune-tsuki-cover-copy-small

In Episode 39

  • Kitsune is a fox spirit, hence the foxes on the covers of her books.
  • The folklore roots within her books, including some loose relation to Pokemon.
  • Laura thinks our favorite character question is a mean question to ask!
  • Kitsune-Tsuki was written in one sitting (!!!).
  • Laura defines our superhero question in an interesting way.
  • We introduce a new question!
  • Aaron gives his opinion on what the best of the Star Trek movies is. (May or may not be what you expect!)


ebook-cover
Links!
Laura VanArendonk Baugh
Buy her books!
Dave Duncan (The Gilded Chain)
Susan Spann (Shenobi Mysteries)

Aug 22, 2016

This week on the show, we have Randy Streu, who is the producer of Beyond the Rim, a sci-fi and horror audio drama/podcast.

13412859_10154165155322435_7284199450524026542_nIn Episode 36

  • Randy discusses how he got into radio drama, with its roots coming from college.
  • We discuss PEG...and how she ties to one of our hosts.
  • Why writing for radio is good for lazy writers!
  • Social commentary in writing.
  • The gruesome research for Shoo, Fly, the first production for Beyond the Rim.
    LDK - Aaron & Randy Streu
    Aaron & Randy Streu

Listen to Episode 1 of Beyond the Rim Here!

In Episode 37

  • Too lazy to plot.
  • Music selections for the horror writer.
  • Ommwriter.
  • Writing flash fiction.
  • Staying fully immersed and how it can be difficult.
  • How to adapt a story for audio.
  • Randy's unique way of dealing with writer's block. "Books I Didn't Write."
  • The differences and similarities between marketing an audio drama versus a book.
  • The problems of not being able to pick a favorite movie (or book).
  • Write it anyway, even if you think no one wants to hear what you have to say.
     

Links!

Randy Streu
A Flame in the Dark Productions
The Tick (TV show)
Master & Commander (books  by Patrick O'Brian & movie)
J-Pod (Douglass Coupland)
Ted Dekker
Frank Peretti
Stephen Lawhead
The Audio Drama Podcast
Microserfs by Douglas Coupland
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
The Sherlock Holmes Mysteries (with John Gielgud)
The Thing on the Fourble Board - Episode from "Quiet, Please!" 
The Death Robbery (with Boris Karloff) - Episode from "Lights Out"
The Peoria Plague
We're Alive by Kc Wayland
Campfire Radio Theater
Tales from the Museum ( DarkerProjects.com )

Aug 18, 2016

12814684_1693764484207815_8102787109426640368_nThis week on the show, we have Randy Streu, who is the producer of Beyond the Rim, a sci-fi and horror audio drama/podcast.

13412859_10154165155322435_7284199450524026542_nIn Episode 36

  • Randy discusses how he got into radio drama, with its roots coming from college.
  • We discuss PEG...and how she ties to one of our hosts.
  • Why writing for radio is good for lazy writers!
  • Social commentary in writing.
  • The gruesome research for Shoo, Fly, the first production for Beyond the Rim.
    LDK - Aaron & Randy Streu
    Aaron & Randy Streu

Listen to Episode 1 of Beyond the Rim Here!

 

Links!

Randy Streu
A Flame in the Dark Productions
The Tick (TV show)
Master & Commander (books  by Patrick O'Brian & movie)
J-Pod (Douglass Coupland)
Ted Dekker
Frank Peretti
Stephen Lawhead

Aug 9, 2016

This week on the show, we're lacking Josh, but we have the wonderful Mary Ruth Pursselley on with us! Aaron and Liberty have trouble getting into a good rhythm without Josh, so there's a bit of back and forth as those two try to get going.Mary Ruth Pursselley

Mary Ruth is the author of epic fantasy novel, Song of the Wren Falcon, and a lover of hot tea.

In Episode 34:

  • Confessions of a full-on pantser!
  • Chaotic first drafts and how they inform you in the future when you look back.
  • Binge-watching My Little Pony.
  • Having friends to help with problems in your book.
  • The benefits of having neighbors far away when you're a fantasy novelist.
  • Useful ideas on how to overcome writer's block.
  • Mary Ruth's Earl Grey snobbery. ;)
  • The crazy things Mary Ruth has Googled and her new favorite word.
  • Mary Ruth's profound advice to new authors (not what you'd expect!)you-must-write-it

Links:

Mary Ruth Pursselley
Song of the Wren Falcon
Raphael Sabitini (Captain Blood, The Seahawk, Scar Moonshade)
Patrick W. Carr (listen to his interviews: Part 1 & Part 2)
J.R.R. Tolkien
L.M. Montgomery (Emily of New Moon)
Mary Ruth on Instagram

Mary Ruth on Facebook

Aug 4, 2016

This week on the show, we're lacking Josh, but we have the wonderful Mary Ruth Pursselley on with us! Aaron and Liberty have trouble getting into a good rhythm without Josh, so there's a bit of back and forth as those two try to get going.Mary Ruth Pursselley

Mary Ruth is the author of epic fantasy novel, Song of the Wren Falcon, and a lover of hot tea.

In Episode 33:

  • Mastering subtext--or at least faking it when your readers pick up on something you didn't necessarily intend.
  • Rewriting and redrafting multiple times on your first novel.
  • Doing a redemption theme well. (Aaron kinda geeks out about this!)
  • Embarrassing ways to be discovered while figuring out choreography for a sword fight by ones brother.
  • Interesting medical stuff researched.
  • Aaron talks Mary Ruth out of her favorite superhero, then proceeds to tease both the women about Tom Hiddleston.
  • Early childhood crushes.
  • Mary Ruth's boyfriend had to twist her arm to be in a relationship by watching a particular movie.
  • Mary Ruth shares some bitterness towards the hosts for forcing her to join Facebook. ;)

 

Links:

Mary Ruth Pursselley
Song of the Wren Falcon
Raphael Sabitini (Captain Blood, The Seahawk, Scar Moonshade)
Patrick W. Carr (listen to his interviews: Part 1 & Part 2)
J.R.R. Tolkien
L.M. Montgomery (Emily of New Moon)

Jul 25, 2016

We're delighted to have contemporary fantasy author K.M. (aka Kessie) Carroll on our show this week! After we discuss the heat in Arizona (where Kessie lives), and Aaron gives Liberty a really hard time, we actually get down to the business of the day.

 

 

  • Overly suggestive book titles for outlining (Take Off Your Pants)
  • Dealing with writer's block, and why it may be happening.
  • Kessie's ideal Chai latte, as well as hot chocolate
  • How a city might respond to a zombie apocalypse.
  • E-Reader News Today & Pixel of Ink going belly up. :(
  • A very unusual answer to our fandom question. :)
  • When readers read into your books deeper than you intended. Lots of funnies.
  • You're allowed to write crap, just keep writing.

 

Links:

Jul 21, 2016

We're delighted to have contemporary fantasy author K.M. (aka Kessie) Carroll on our show this week! After we discuss the heat in Arizona (where Kessie lives), and Aaron gives Liberty a really hard time, we actually get down to the business of the day.

In this episode...

  • The Spacetime Legacy, Kessie's contemporary fantasy series, and her wish to see it in a Manga form.
  • The origins of her series
  • Sacrificial cars
  • Superstition Mountains (super creepy stories!)
  • Arizona Vortexes
  • Classic Batman show from the 1960s...and her kids' likely reaction to watching the show. (Hilarity ensues.)
  • Kessie's Doctor (Who)
  • Writing with 5 kids (great advice for ALL of us parents.)
  • Scrivener for iOS
  • Discussing Jim Butcher (some of it got cut...if our listeners could be flies on the walls during our intermissions!)

 

Links:

Jul 11, 2016

On this episode we spoke with Patrick Carr, author of the Staff and Sword Series, about his venture into the Darkwater Saga and the Shock of Night.

A trilogy of trilogies awaits!

In these episodes, Patrick keeps us laughing. Also, you'll never believe how accident prone Patrick is!a1lciw73q9l-_ux250_

All of us wax nostalgic at some point...you'd think we're old or something!

51kwf1dzaql-_sx322_bo1204203200_In Episode 30

  • Character-driven fantasy, and how he accomplishes this in his plotting process.
  • Patrick and his disagreeable muse.
  • Planning for a series long-term + happy circumstance
  • Re-doing books from scratch...under deadline
  • Carrying around your books and your characters in your head all the time.
  • Patrick's advice: be a merciless critic where your writing is concerned.
  • Patrick's methods for attacking writer's block
  • Candy bar in a cup drinks at Starbucks at Christmas
  • Patrick shares some of his techniques for making perfect fudge (yes, seriously)
  • Patrick and Liberty discuss rigor mortis...and gross Aaron out
  • Traditional marketing advice from Patrick's agent, Steve Laube. The phrase "literary Amway guy" comes into play.
  • Patrick's funny experiences of being an author

Links:

Patrick Carr
The Darkwater Saga
The Shock of Night
Home Improvement
Steve Laube (Patrick's agent!)
David Eddings (The Belgariad)
Steven R. Donaldson (The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant)
Robert Ludlum
Brandon Sanderson
C. S. Lewis (Screwtape Letters; The Space Trilogy)
Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series
The Magician by Raymond Feist

 

1 « Previous 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next » 9