EPISODE 719 - Alfred Muller - supernatural, occult fiction and traditional fantasy

Alfred Muller shares a personal, long-form reflection on writing, feedback, and growth as an author, framed by his Tennessee roots and a deep love of the craft. The episode weaves practical advice with candid stories—from embracing constructive criticism to the discipline of finishing a manuscript—into a portrait of how dedication, routine, and audience awareness shape a writer’s progress.

In this conversation, Muller emphasizes that criticism should be treated as a tool, not a personal attack. He recalls how classroom feedback helped him rework scenes for better dialogue flow and realism, underscoring the value of real-time critique when you can ask clarifying questions and observe responses. He also highlights the importance of understanding your audience and adjusting language and references to fit their world, which can prevent disconnects between narrator, character, and reader.

The discussion moves into the practical side of developing as a writer. Muller advises new writers to seek feedback in educational settings where instructors and peers can provide strategic, actionable notes. He reflects on the transformation that comes from revising with a cold, analytical eye after a delay, rather than reacting impulsively to criticism. The episode also touches the difference between drafting and publishing: the opportunity to solicit questions and explanations evaporates once a work is released to the public.

On craft and character, Muller discusses the process of building authentic dialogue and motivation. He describes how personal interests—like hockey—can flavor a character’s voice and choices, and how conveying believable speech requires attention to what the audience knows or cares about. The narrative delves into world-building choices, such as naming conventions and religious or mythological elements, to anchor supernatural or fantastical elements in human-scale concerns and emotions.

The episode closes with a candid look at publishing milestones, ongoing projects, and the ongoing balance between daily life and creative work. Muller shares the practicality of maintaining writing momentum during busy periods, using prompts and micro-writing exercises to push through blocks. He reminds listeners that finishing a draft is the gateway to meaningful revision, and that reading widely remains essential to sustain growth and keep perspective in a changing literary landscape.

Key takeaway for listeners: constructive feedback, thoughtfully received and applied, accelerates growth; finish what you start to unlock productive revision, and anchor fiction in relatable human concerns to keep characters and worlds compelling.

https://alfredmuller44.wixsite.com/alfred-muller-books

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EPISODE 718 - V. Maia - Cultural clashes and ordinary moments become intertwined with extraordinary dreams and the destiny of the universe

V. Maia is a Brazilian academic researcher, IT professional, and passionate storyteller. With a Ph.D. in cloud computing privacy and over two decades of experience in the information technology sector, his expertise ranges from data security to cybersecurity.

But V. Maia’s interests extend far beyond the digital realm. A lifelong fascination with astrophysics and science fiction fuels his imagination and shapes his perspective on life. His global travels, from his roots in Brazil to academic and professional pursuits around the world, have sparked deep reflection on cultural differences and the human experience.

In his debut novel, “Under Full Moons: A Tale of Parenting in Paris… and the Fate of the Universe,” V. Maia weaves a unique narrative that blends the mundane realities of parenting with the extraordinary possibilities of lucid dreaming and cosmic events.

When he’s not writing or exploring the mysteries of the universe, V. Maia can be found in his Brasilia home, cooking up delicious meals with his family.

Book: Under Full Moons
Vinícius takes on the challenge of moving from Brasilia to Paris with his family, where his wife will complete a master's degree. He will be responsible for looking after the children and the house. However, along with the cultural conflicts and the intense new family routine in France, Vinícius soon begins to have paranormal encounters, first in his dreams and then in waking life. These beings that contact Vinícius are desperate: they need his help to prevent the universe from being torn apart via a real-life cosmological and cataclysmic phenomenon called the Big Rip, in a faraway future. Although the entities are advanced and can travel through vast swathes of time, they are unable to prevent their own extinction. As Vinícius pieces together the puzzle presented to him, he learns that it all depends on his ability to harness lucid dreams. Unless Vinícius has these dreams, he will be powerless to alter the fabric of spacetime. The fate of the universe hangs in the balance.

https://vmaiaauthor.com/

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EPISODE 717 - Hal Glatzer - Accidental Detectives, Friends With Benefits and How Music Influences Writing

Hal Glatzer is a novelist who blends mystery with a rich musical background, sharing insights about his creative journey, his fiction’s settings, and the people who populate his work. The interview unfolds in three main threads: the mysteries Glatzer writes, the music he performs, and the biography that informs his storytelling.

Glatzer’s literary path begins in youth with classical training in violin and clarinet, moving through the folk revival and bluegrass, and finally embracing the Great American Songbook. This musical fluency informs his approach to dialogue and rhythm in fiction, where characters banter and move storylines forward through speech. His long-running Katy Green novels anchor his literary voice in historical-recovery and performance, while his current project centers on Herman and Teddy, an older couple who navigate an affair while solving murders. They are “accidental detectives” in a cozy mystery setting, chosen to explore grown-up themes with wit, warmth, and intellectual curiosity.

Grand Lake City, Glatzer’s fictional setting, serves as a crafted backdrop that mirrors real Rust Belt towns gradually reviving their economies. The two primary protagonists—Herman, a late sixties retired magazine editor, and Teddy, a middle sixties former high school math teacher—live a “friendship with benefits” relationship. Their dynamic blends sharp banter, contrasting personalities, and complementary lives, which continually challenge and propel the mysteries they stumble into. The series follows this duo across three novels so far: The Nest, The Office Wife, and The Two Birds, with plans for future installments and possibly revisiting the Katie Green character from his earlier work.

A central theme is how music—whether live performance or the memory of songs—deeply embeds itself in people’s brains and sustains memory, emotion, and identity. Glatzer describes performing for nursing homes and veterans as a powerful reminder that music often outlives other faculties, a belief that resonates with how he builds mood and atmosphere in his stories. He also explains that his storytelling relies on the tension between characters and situations: even a cozy mystery benefits from obstacles that threaten personal relationships and force protagonists to confront difficult choices.

For readers, the appeal lies in dialog-rich, character-driven mysteries where adults face real-life complexities, including marriage, friendship, and moral dilemmas, while the plot unfurls through witty dialogue and engaging puzzles. Glatzer emphasizes that his ideal reader is an adult who appreciates a well-crafted whodunit with authentic relationships and no graphic sexuality, while acknowledging that his work may test readers’ comfort with adultery within a carefully controlled narrative.

Key takeaway: Hal Glatzer’s mysteries thrive on character chemistry and dialogue as the engine of plot, pairing cozy, accessible puzzles with mature, nuanced relationships that keep readers thinking—and listening—for the next twist.

https://halglatzer.com/

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