Storytime 8: Janine Inez’s “The Sacred Cow,” Dan Surber's horror “Viral,” and Justin Webb’s haunting descent in “Slam Shatter Scream”

How to Critique Creative Writing | Writers Groups, Workshops & Feedback

What makes a good critique in a writers group? How do you workshop fiction without destroying a writer’s confidence? In this episode of Write Your Heart Out, Kayla Ogden and Rachel Cyr dive deep into creative writing critiques, writing workshops, querying literary agents, revising fiction, and the emotional experience of sharing your work out loud. Kayla shares what happened when she submitted the opening chapter of her novel The Cherry Tree (formerly Pillow Forts Down) to a large critique group led by published authors, including surprising feedback about character behavior, realism, scene details, and reader expectations. Rachel discusses receiving revision notes on her own novel Dinner for Eight and why constructive criticism can completely transform a manuscript. The conversation explores: *  how to critique creative writing constructively  *  what makes a good writers group  *  giving and receiving feedback as a novelist  *  common workshop mistakes  *  genre expectations in speculative fiction and literary fiction  *  querying literary agents  *  revising first chapters  *  writing believable characters  *  AI and speculative fiction concepts  *  overcoming fear of sharing your writing  They also discuss ketamine therapy, old “storybook homes,” Silicon Valley creative culture, AI romance story ideas, and why writers should stop creating rules that prevent them from writing. If you’re an aspiring author, novelist, screenwriter, MFA student, or creative writer looking for honest conversations about the writing life, this episode is for you. Please subscribe, rate and review!  New episodes every other Wednesday. E-mail us your short story at contact@writeyourheartoutpod.com Follow us on instagram @writeyourheartoutpod  [https://www.instagram.com/writeyourheartoutpod/] Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

Storytime 8: Janine Inez’s “The Sacred Cow,” Dan Surber's horror “Viral,” and Justin Webb’s haunting descent in “Slam Shatter Scream”

This week on Write Your Heart Out, Kayla and Rachel dive into a packed Storytime episode featuring three wildly different works of fiction: a lyrical fable about creative burnout and artistic devotion, a chilling modern horror story about violence, internet fame, and true crime culture, and a slow-burn paranormal thriller that spirals into psychological terror. They also discuss Lena Dunham’s memoir, creepy Instagram algorithms, horror tropes, writing tension, and the strange emotional weight of sharing fiction online. Plus: an unexpected unboxing moment as MJ’s published book finally arrives in the mail.  Read "Viral" here: https://www.reddit.com/r/scarystories/comments/1s4by4u/viral/ Find Janine Inez here: https://heartmaintenance.substack.com/subscribe [https://heartmaintenance.substack.com/subscribe] https://www.instagram.com/heartmaintenance/ [https://www.instagram.com/heartmaintenance/] Private Practice: www.wholecirclewell.com [http://www.wholecirclewell.com/] Please subscribe, rate and review!  New episodes every other Wednesday. E-mail us your short story at contact@writeyourheartoutpod.com Follow us on instagram @writeyourheartoutpod  [https://www.instagram.com/writeyourheartoutpod/] Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash - Does it Live Up to the Hype?

In this episode of Write Your Heart Out, Kayla Ogden and Rachel Cyr dive into a lively, spoiler-light discussion of Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash—a sharp, darkly funny debut novel that blends family drama, literary fiction, and thriller elements.  From open marriages and rebellious daughters to conspiracy theories, billionaire villains, and unexpected found family, this episode explores what makes Lost Lambs such a standout modern novel—and why readers are calling it one of the most voice-driven books of the year. Kayla and Rachel break down: *  The unique narrative voice and character development in Lost Lambs *  Why the book feels both literary and wildly entertaining *  The balance between dark themes (like human trafficking and conspiracy culture) and humor  *  How Madeline Cash pushes back against autobiographical fiction trends  *  The concept of “compersion vs. jealousy” in the writing world  Plus, they chat about: *  The rise of book-to-screen adaptations (including Verity by Colleen Hoover)  *  Why some bestselling authors succeed through emotional resonance over prose style *  A quick recommendation of Margot’s Got Money Troubles (and why the audiobook is worth it)  Whether you're a writer looking to sharpen your voice, a reader searching for your next book club pick, or someone curious about how novels translate to screen—this episode is packed with insight, humor, and honest takes on today’s literary landscape. Buy MJ's Book! Writtenbymj.com [http://Wruttenbymj.com] 🎧 Perfect for fans of:  literary fiction podcasts, book club discussions, writing craft, debut novels, dark humor books, family saga stories, Colleen Hoover discourse, and author interviews Please subscribe, rate and review!  New episodes every other Wednesday. E-mail us your short story at contact@writeyourheartoutpod.com Follow us on instagram @writeyourheartoutpod  [https://www.instagram.com/writeyourheartoutpod/] Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

Storytime 8: Viral by Dan Surber and Slam, Shatter, Scream by Justin Webb. Horror stories for scary days.

In this heavy yet gripping episode, Kayla and Rachel record from the closet amidst a backdrop of global tension and personal transitions. The duo navigates the "dark energy" of the world by leaning into the stories sent in by their listeners—specifically, two chilling tales of horror that mirror the unsettling atmosphere of the week. In This Episode, We Discuss: * A Father’s Perspective on Voice: Rachel reads a thoughtful email from her dad, Dave, who offers a structured and spiritual take on what "voice" means in storytelling—defining it as the different paths multiple characters take toward a single, predetermined destination. * Viral by Dan Surber: Kayla reads part one of a meta-horror story involving a "golden boy" university student, a Ring doorbell camera, and a terrifying home invasion. The girls break down the tension-building techniques, the surprise twist, and the mechanics of writing a convincing slasher. * Slam, Shatter, Scream by Justin Webb: Rachel reads the first half of a supernatural horror story from a London-based author. The story follows Nicole, an atheist who finds herself spiraling into fear as strange noises disrupt the silence of her apartment—and her increasingly strained marriage. * The Nuance of Dialogue: A look at how Justin Webb uses realistic, frustrating marital dialogue to build tension without relying on explicit tone descriptors. * The "Darling" Debate: Rachel and Kayla discuss the balance between rich character backstory and the fast-paced requirements of a short story. Featured Stories: * "Viral" by Dan Surbur (Part 1) * "Slam, Shatter, Scream" by Justin Webb (Part 1) Stay Tuned: We’re leaving you on a cliffhanger! Join us next time for Part 2 of both stories, along with a special reading by Janine Inez and a deep dive into Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash. Connect with Us: Have a story you want us to read? Send us an email! We love hearing from you and—as Kayla guarantees—we can tell the difference between your talent and an AI. > "We can't step into the same river twice because the river keeps on moving. So either the river has changed, or you have changed." Please subscribe, rate and review!  New episodes every other Wednesday. E-mail us your short story at contact@writeyourheartoutpod.com Follow us on instagram @writeyourheartoutpod  [https://www.instagram.com/writeyourheartoutpod/] Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

Unpacking Kayla's $1000+ Developmental Edit Letter

In this episode, Kayla returns from the San Francisco Writers Conference with a lot more than just a fancy hotel receipt. While the "volunteer-to-pitch" lifestyle had its quirks, it led to some major new connections—including the "New Andy" and the brilliantly creative Dr. Janine Inez. But the real heart of the conversation is the 18-page deep dive Kayla received from Cornerstones US. Kayla and Rachel break down the "brutally helpful" feedback on her manuscript, Pillow Forts Down, covering: * The Death of the Info-Dump: Why your prologue might be doing too much heavy lifting and how to weave backstory into the action. * Deepening the "Why": Moving beyond shock value to explore the emotional core of a character’s hypersexuality. * The Big Reveal: Why Fiona McLaren (shoutout to Fiona!) officially categorized the novel as Book Club Fiction and what that means for the road to publishing. * Style vs. Substance: Navigating the tricky waters of ethereal death scenes and passive character reveals. We also share a sobering and heartfelt update on Fiona’s current situation in Cyprus, and talk about the actual costs (and massive value) of hiring a top-tier literary consultant. Next time: We’re diving into story time or a look at Madeline Cash’s Lost Lambs. Read along with us! Please subscribe, rate and review!  New episodes every other Wednesday. E-mail us your short story at contact@writeyourheartoutpod.com Follow us on instagram @writeyourheartoutpod  [https://www.instagram.com/writeyourheartoutpod/] Leave us a message at 650-260-4885