Let's Chat: Heaven That Never Was with Bruce and Lelina Smith | S3E2

Let's Chat: Heaven That Never Was with Bruce and Lelina Smith | S3E2

In this episode of Dripping Creativity: Let's chat, host Chris Corvan steps into the mythic dark fantasy of Heaven That Never Was, the prequel short story to the screenplay Devil’s Delight. Chris is joined by authors Lelina Smith and Bruce Smith for a conversation about rebellion, identity, free will, and the complicated beauty of a reimagined Heaven filled with angels, power, longing, and fracture. Together, they unpack the story’s setting, the emotional roots of the Morning Star’s fall from grace, and the forbidden desires that drive the characters forward. Lelina and Bruce also discuss their collaborative writing process, the challenge of transforming a screenplay world into a short story, and the scenes that carried the most emotional weight. This episode blends creativity, dark humor, and big philosophical questions as the conversation moves through good and evil, choice and consequence, and the kinds of stories that still echo in the world around us. If you love dark fantasy, mythic storytelling, morally complicated angels, and creative process conversations with a little bite, this one belongs in your ears. Links * Pick up Heaven That Never Was: https://hovpress.com/heaven-that-never-was/ [https://hovpress.com/heaven-that-never-was/] * Music by Gridlazer: https://gridlazergrid.bandcamp.com/ [https://gridlazergrid.bandcamp.com/] * Follow Lelina Smith: https://hovpress.com/authors_lelina_smith/ [https://hovpress.com/authors_lelina_smith/] * Follow Bruce Smith: https://hovpress.com/authors_bruce_smith/ [https://hovpress.com/authors_bruce_smith/] * Follow Chris Corvan: https://chriscorvan.bio.link/ [https://chriscorvan.bio.link/] Episode Chapters 00:00 Sponsored by House of Void Press 01:04 Describing Heaven That Never Was 04:08 Bruce’s introduction to this Heaven 06:16 Why free will matters in the story 08:30 Making Heaven beautiful and restrictive 11:21 The scene that clicked while writing 15:15 Finding the right ending 16:41 From screenplay to short story 19:32 Translating visual storytelling into prose 20:30 Social and political commentary 27:08 The Morning Star’s plan 30:04 Understanding Morning Star’s motivations

Alecsandra Kakon on Friendship, Identity, and the Lies We Carry | S3E1 | Dripping Creativity

In the Season 3 premiere of Dripping Creativity, Chris Corvan sits down with author and professor Alecsandra Kakon to talk about her debut novel, This Is Why I Need You. This is a book about friendship, secrets, identity, and the quiet tension of everything we avoid saying out loud. So naturally, we had to get into the messy stuff: complicated friend groups, the strange crisis point of turning thirty, the stories we tell ourselves, and the people who become mirrors whether we asked them to or not. Alexandra talks about moving between academia and creative writing, how the pandemic helped push this novel into existence, and why friendship became the emotional engine of the book. We dig into multiple points of view, character morality, editing, emotional honesty, and the terrifying little truth that readers will never see your characters exactly the way you do. Rude, honestly. Beautiful, but rude. We also talk about trauma, silence, neurodiversity, parenting, privilege, psychological abuse, and why the most interesting characters are rarely cleanly “good” or “bad.” They are people. Which is much worse. And much better. At its heart, this episode asks a deceptively simple question: Who are your people, and are you actually showing up for them? A sharp, heartfelt conversation with a rising voice in contemporary fiction. Music by Gridlazer https://gridlazergrid.bandcamp.com/ [https://gridlazergrid.bandcamp.com/] Pre-order This Is Why I Need You: https://ecwpress.com/products/this-is-why-i-need-you [https://ecwpress.com/products/this-is-why-i-need-you] Follow Alecsandra Kakon: Instagram: @Alecsandrakakon Follow Chris Corvan: https://chriscorvan.bio.link [https://chriscorvan.bio.link] Episode Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Dripping Creativity with Alexandra Kakon 00:37 Alecsandra’s creative path before the debut novel 01:20 Writing, academia, and the myth of a “dual identity” 04:28 Silence, complex trauma, inclusion, and neurodiversity education 08:07 Parenting as storytelling 12:36 Why editing is where the magic happens 12:45 Chris reacts to This Is Why I Need You 13:09 The emotional core of the novel 15:45 Writing four points of view without losing the thread 18:54 Chris admits he over-plans because, well, ADHD 19:15 The Dirty 30 and why friendships start to shift 24:01 Plotter, pantser, or beautiful chaos goblin? 26:31 Drafts, editors, and rewriting the book into itself 29:20 What Alecsandra had to confront while writing 33:26 Who are your friends, and do you carry them with intention? 35:27 Which character will readers defend too hard? 36:56 The hidden complexity of Valentina’s storyline 38:48 When every protagonist is also someone else’s antagonist 43:40 What Alecsandra is working on next 46:38 Where to find Alecsandra Kakon and pre-order the book 47:55 Closing notes from the House of Void Network

Dripping Creativity: Bubblegum Grunge and Alien Dinosaurs with Supersum

Get ready to vibe with the latest episode of Dripping Creativity! Host Chris Corvan chats with the fabulous Montreal duo, Gabby and Gigi, the brains behind Supersum. These gals are shaking up the music scene with their wild blend of bubblegum pop and grunge—think sweet melodies with a punk punch! They’re spilling the tea on their upcoming EP, Tragedy Romantique, and diving into all the juicy themes of love, adventure, and life’s crazy twists that fuel their songwriting.But wait, there’s more! You’ll hear some hilarious behind-the-scenes stories about their creative process, including the ups and downs of recording during the pandemic and the antics of their quirky adopted alien dinosaurs (yes, you read that right!). Gabby and Gigi also reflect on the electric energy they bring to their live shows and how they’re on a mission to create music that lifts you up while keeping it real about life’s struggles.This episode is all about celebrating creativity, resilience, and the sheer joy of making music that resonates with fans. If you’re into fresh sounds, punk vibes, or just love a good story, you won’t want to miss this one!🎧 Music by Gridlazer🌐 Check out Supersum on Instagram: @supersum.official🔗 Jam out to their tunes on YouTube: Supersum YouTube Channel🔗 Follow Chris Corvan here: https://chriscorvan.bio.link

Dripping Creativity: Amplifying Analog with The Thinkers

Get ready to rock out in this episode of Dripping Creativity! Host Chris Corvan is cranking up the volume as he chats with Troy and Anthony, the powerhouse pair behind the up-and-coming rock band, The Thinkers. Straight outta the buzzing underground scene of Manila, these guys are shaking things up worldwide with their gritty, analog sound that’s a breath of fresh air in a digital world. From their breakout banger "Let's Go" to the catchy new single "Hey, Wait," The Thinkers are here to remind us that rock is very much alive and kicking!Troy and Anthony take us on a wild ride through their musical journey, sharing tales from their early band days and that fateful moment when they decided to join forces as The Thinkers. They spill the beans on juggling day jobs with their musical dreams, the magic of analog recording, and the legendary influences that inspire their sound—think Nirvana meets the Smashing Pumpkins! Their no-holds-barred chat dives into the creative process behind their songs, the electric thrill of live gigs, and those jaw-dropping moments of recognition on international stages.As they tease us with details about their upcoming LP, the duo reflects on their mission to craft a unique sound that strikes a chord with listeners while exploring a mix of musical styles. This episode is a love letter to rock music and the vibrant Filipino music scene, giving us a sneak peek into the heart of a band that’s not just making tunes, but making waves.If you’re all about authentic rock vibes, captivating stories, or just want to discover your next favorite band, this episode is a total must-listen!🎧 Music by Gridlazer🌐 Check out The Thinkers at: https://www.linktr.ee/thethinkersound🔗 Follow Chris Corvan here: https://chriscorvan.bio.link

Dripping Creativity: Tales from the Tides with Mackenzie Nolan

Get ready for a wild ride on this episode of Dripping Creativity! Host Chris Corvan is joined by the fabulous debut author Mackenzie M. Nolan, who’s bursting onto the scene straight from the beautiful but rugged landscapes of rural Newfoundland. Mackenzie juggles her day job as a social worker with her nighttime gig as a storyteller, and let me tell you, she’s got some stories to tell! Her debut novel, Veal, drops on October 14, 2025, and it’s packed with themes of queerness, trauma, and the spooky folklore that shaped her upbringing. In this chat, Mackenzie spills the tea on her creative process, the meaning behind her book’s title, and how she crafts her characters with depth while tackling some pretty intense topics without falling into the stereotype trap. They also dive into her unique take on gender and identity, giving a nod to the diverse experiences of women in a world that can be a bit too patriarchal for its own good. Plus, Chris and Mackenzie get real about the ups and downs of being a debut author in the wild world of publishing. Listeners, prepare to be enchanted by Mackenzie’s storytelling skills as she describes her book as a horror story that thinks it’s a rom-com—talk about a plot twist! If you’re into feminist horror, queer literature, or just love a good yarn, this episode is an absolute must-listen! 🎧 Music by Gridlazer 🌐 Pre-order Veal at: Chapters Indigo 🔗 Follow Mackenzie M. Nolan: https://www.instagram.com/kenznolan 🌐 Visit Mackenzie’s Goodreads: Goodreads 🔗 Follow Chris Corvan here: https://chriscorvan.bio.link