The Serial Hour Podcast

Where We’ve Been and What We’ve Got Planned

We’re back! The tsunami from our personal and corporate lives has subsided and we’re picking up the pieces - as you can see from our video chat. What’s Next? Well, all that prep from 2024 was not in vain. Because we built out our world, plotlines and character back story, we can and will pick up to deliver Heck’s Exile to you. We wanted to create a schedule that is fair to you and to us, bearing in mind our other commitments. Therefore, you will get: * A monthly vignette: First one due on the 9th May This is perfect if you are new to the world and want to try it without commitment. The vignettes can be read as a stand-alone, giving background or insight into the characters without disturbing the main plot. * A vignette reading: 23rd MayAs part of our experimentation, we want to give you short, easy stories you can listen to on the go. * Two episodes: 16th & 30th MayWe’re each committed to one per month (more if you are lucky), following the adventures of Heck, Junya and Ashur. Whilst there are coming-of-age elements, this is not a children’s story. There will be sex, violence, friendship, romance and old-fashioned swearwords. If our posting schedule changes, we will let you know via Notes and pin it to the Serial Hour homepage. Thank you for watching and keeping faith. Nat & Erica. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit serialhour.substack.com [https://serialhour.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Serial Hour Goes Live!

Discover the world of Cornish faeries in The Harmonics Saga. Our monthly Live discuss the serial, starting with Episode 1: Heck's Exile. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit serialhour.substack.com [https://serialhour.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

TSH Presents a Brand New Serial About Faeries

(0:00:01) - Fairy World Character Development Return of Serial Hour podcast, new fairy story set in 18th-century Cornwall, world-building rooted in British Isles mythology and historical context. (0:14:11) - Water Fairies and Character Development Fairies in Cornwall must unite to defend against sea threats, highlighting the cultural importance of water and the unique abilities of water fairies. (0:22:17) - Fire Fairy Faction and Stigma Nature's fairies have unique wings for different factions, including a rare fire-earth hybrid, in a complex and dark society. (0:30:10) - Fairy Genealogy and Birth Lore Genealogy and fairy births will be explored in the next episode, released in two weeks. Stay tuned! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit serialhour.substack.com [https://serialhour.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Arc of a Character

Let’s each take one (or two?) of our favorite characters (doesn’t have to be the main character) and dissect their arc in the story. Who they were when they started, where they are now in the story, and where we hope they’ll end up in “the end.” Timestamps (0:00:01) - Character Arcs in Fantasy Serials Charisma's journey as a female magician, her disguise in a competition, and her father's acceptance and legacy. (0:12:28) - Character Arcs and Family Legacies Lyford family's magical legacy, cross-dressing, character development, arcs, and transformations in a world of societal expectations. (0:17:41) - Character Dynamics and Story Development Complex characters in a fantasy city face love, duty, and survival as chaos looms, while a retired adventurer grapples with a moral dilemma. (0:31:06) - Point of View in Character Writing Character perspective, gender identity, and narrative balance are discussed in relation to storytelling techniques. (0:44:37) - Exploring Character Development in Fiction Nature's impact on four women's journeys, challenging social constructs and writing process, and audience engagement. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit serialhour.substack.com [https://serialhour.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

A Little Continuity Goes a Long Way

Timestamps (00:02) Authors Discuss Continuity and Tracking (14:07) Serial Writing Structure Tips (23:21) Character Naming and Consistency (33:25) Character Attachment and Story Continuity (43:15) Crafting Cliffhangers and Character Development (49:13) Podcast Hosts Discuss Storytelling and Entertainment Foreword by Erica Drayton Unlock the secrets behind crafting captivating serial narratives as Natalie Phillips, and I unveil the tools and techniques essential for weaving complex storylines. Step behind the scenes of the Wondermere universe and Tale of 2 Cities, where meticulous planning meets creative flair. Our conversation ranges from the discovery of my 'story Bible' to Natalie's foray into the realms of Scrivener, offering an arsenal of strategies for authors and a glimpse into the creation process for readers who love to be ensnared by serialized fiction. This episode peels back the layers of character development and the importance of naming in serial storytelling. Listen as I dissect the use of nicknames and the impact they have on maintaining continuity and depth within our expansive tales. Together, we share laughs and insights on how we ensure each character – friend or foe – plays their crucial role in the grand tapestry of our narratives, keeping readers both grounded and intrigued. Join us for a candid discussion that weaves together the power of storytelling with the art of entertainment. We revel in the journey of our creations and tease the thrilling developments that promise to keep our listeners on the edge of their seats. So, get cozy, press play, and immerse yourself in the craft of serial storytelling as we share stories, strategies, and a bit of playful banter along the way. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit serialhour.substack.com [https://serialhour.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]