Tag Archives: #podcast

Recorded LIVE at Balticon on the final day of the event, Tee and Pip are joined by a lively audience, all of whom take pains to keep Tee in line and muster up the courage to ask Crazy Uncle Charlie a few questions on writing…

….and Crazy Uncle charlie has a few surprises in store for them! It’s a wild ride with the Parsec-nominated podcast, The Shared Desk, at Balticon 48.

00:00 — Introduction

• Shutting it down like a boss!
• Reflection on a Balticon Cookout. (Thank God we made it out alive!)
• We’re keeping this episode on a tight(ish) schedule because we got stuff to sell!

3:35 — Perspectives (or the “I Love You, Man!” Show)

• Lessons learned at Balticon
  • Pip was enjoying many an “I love you, man!” moments last night with the grown-up Gummi Bears.
  • Sonic Boom in the House!!!!
  • P.C. Haring…put back in his box by Nick (MOTHER F-ING) Fury.
  • Leading into a quick shout-out to our Intern of Awesome, K.T. Bryski.
  • And if you’re wondering what people were laughing at…
• A Perspective on Success
  • There was something about Balticon this year…
  • People were really excited for the Ministry, and yet Pip and I still feel like were the rookies of steampunk.
• When J.R. Blackwell and Jared Axelrod pull you aside to have a heart-to-heart, you know it’s about to get serious.
• The audience looks at Tee and thinks “Wow, that’s Tee Morris! What an ass.”
• And a few thoughts from Sonic Boom…
• A slip of the tongue…and people pile-on correcting Tee. (But he comes back for more. Always.)
• The thoughts of Jared and J.R. and Jon Stallard of the 501st: It’s not the same. Can we go back there?
• But is that a bad thing? Don’t we want to spread the geek love? (Phrasing.)
• In the middle of Balticon, Pip wanted to tell friends how it is…and that’s a good thing.
• Pip even said something sweet and endearing to her husband. Kind of.
• Tee looks back on his first Balticon as P.C. Haring brings Cybrosis in print to the event.
• Our kid can do math! Huzzah!
• From Rockstar Treatment…to the Real World.
• The dangers of losing perspective.
• Remember — there’s always someone in the playground bigger (and in some cases, meaner) than you.
• Considering the Up’s and Down’s of 2014
  • Pip’s found her zen.
  • Tee’s winding up and going on mic with his “I love you, man!” moment.
  • OMG! We have to mention TEH KITTEHS of New Zealand!!!
  • When it comes to friends, we are in the 1% tier.
• What else is going on with us?
  • Our agent is pitching new properties from Tee & Pip
    • Deadly Hollywood, a new property from Pip Ballantine
    • Immortal Progeny, Pip’s Epic Fantasy currently in the works
    • Darkwater, a spinoff title from the world of The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences featuring Rafe Rafton (100% Elf-Free!)
    • Wolf in the Fold, Tee’s first step into Urban Fantasy
    • The Curse of the Silver Pharaoh, Pip’s Y.A. spinoff from the Ministry universe
• Tee gives a quick shout-out for a steampunk Y.A. film The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box, the best-kept secret of steampunk films.
• Yes, we have enjoyed success, but we’re ready to level up.
  • The audience wants to start up a new hashtag — #MoPOForever
  • Pie-in-the-Sky dreams for who would produce the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series
  • Shout-out for Hiddlebooks and Jenna Louise-Coleman with Brian Cox and Nathan Fillion on deck….

32:40 — Writing Advice from Crazy Uncle Charlie

• And the room goes rather silent as Charlie enters the room…
• Sonic Boom is not fooled.
• Crazy Uncle Charlie is having a tough time knowing where he is…
• Question #1: Writer has a short story, popular with his peer readers, but he’s having a tough time selling it. What should he do?
  • Charlie is momentarily distracted by Lauren “Scribe” Harris. (Could Charlie have a potential stalker on his hands?)
  • And Charlie comes out of box, swinging…
  • Hold on….is Charlie making sense?
  • And then, we come back to the Charlie we know and love.
• Question #2: Writer wants to know the sweet spot between “creative inebriation” and “rat-faced hammered” for consuming alcohol.
  • Charlie reveals the line between inebriation and genius. It is cotton balls.
  • Writing drunk is like drunk tweeting. Think before you plot.
  • Be responsible for the words you herd. (Holy cow — Charlie is working a new strategy in writing advice!)
• Question #3: Writer wants to skip the laborious process f writing and editing and just get to sharing the story. How do you develop the discipline?
  • The Concept is the Process, and the Process is the Concept
  • What kind of writer are you? A Pantser or a Plotter. (Charlie doesn’t believe in pants.)
  • Find your routine and stick with it.
• Question #4: Why do first-time writers balk at the end of projects? Is it a fear of failure? how do we get past that stumbling block?
  • That fear never goes away.
  • Every new title is a challenge, a new place for the bar to be set.
  • Let the fear fuel you.
• Charlie blanks out for a moment, then pulls it together for a giveaway.
•  And there is jubilation over the Shared Desk’s Mega-Prize Pack and Super-Prize Pack…
• …hold on — what’s this third prize pack Charlie is giving away?!

47:36 — The Wrap-Up

• THAT. WAS. CLOSE.
• Giving The Shared Desk sign-off very quickly…
• Now — let’s sell some books!
• YES! We want your feedback — 703.791.1701

48:26 — Warm, Fizzy, Sign-Off

Episode 35: Live from Balticon 48 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Find us on Twitter at either Tee’s or Pip’s account,
leave us a voicemail or question for the show at 703.791.1701,
or leave us a comment here at the blog.

Enjoy the ride
and we’ll catch you later.

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Tagged as #podcast, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., audio, Balticon, cookout, Crazy Uncle Charlie, goals, humbling, I Love You Man, K.T. Bryski, laziness, Nick Fury, P.C. Haring, perspective, Pip Ballantine, reality, rock star, success, Tee Morris, The Shared Desk, works in progress

Two cons back to back — RavenCon and DemiCon — and Tee and Pip are snapping back from the shenanigans in Virginia and Iowa. As this episode is a few days late, your show hosts super-size this episode with many different perspectives and reflections on the weekend that is DemiCon 25. Strap yourself in for some serious silliness on mic and insights into the weekend of geeking in Des Moines.

00:00 — Introduction

• Getting in a quick intro and a a drop-in fix.
• It’s a DemiCon 25 wrap-up for this week’s show!
• Pip’s working on Immortal Progeny so I’m bringing us into this show.
• So let’s step back in time…

1:55 — DemiCon 25 Wrap-Up 

• Introductions.
  • Tee’s coffee cup is broken.
  • Let the hazing begin.
  • The ladies from Chicago show up.
  • On the Mic: Tee, Pip, P.C. Haring, Alyson Grauer, Melissa Fox
• Food arrives…and eventually, we will get this show on track.
  • If you are curious, the crunch-crunch-crunch is the taco shell of our salad.
  • Aly thinks a Shared Desk at Bennigan’s is a bad idea.
• Space Happens: The Kickstarter project currently on Aly’s and Mel’s plate…and it looks funny.
• What brings Tee back to DemiCon?
• P.C. Haring is sharing the wealth with the ladies…
• Aly wants to do the ding along with the bell.
• Aaaaaaand more hazing of the Author Guest of Honor…
• What brings Aly Grauer and Mel Fox to DemiCon?
  • Aly’s first step into the Indie Author realm.
  • All of Pip’s dreams involve Idris Elba. Shocker that.
  • The Buffalo is fighting against Pip.
  • A quick review of Bennigan’s and the quality of hotel restaurants.
  • The best thing about the convention circuit: Networking.
• What brings “Paul from Des Moines” back to Des Moines?
• DemiCon 18 versus DemiCon 25
  • A quick nod to the success of Epic Tea Time with Alan Rickman
  • The demographic was broader and younger.
•  DemiCon actually began on Thursday…
  • Voiceover Workshop at Theodore Roosevelt High School
  • A killer book signing at Barnes & Noble with Joe Halderman
  • …and ending with a blurry night in Des Moines.
• DemiCon on Friday Night
  • Aly, Pip, and Tee talk about Barnes & Noble and the attitude towards a drive-by signing…
  • Aly was worried that we were going to be divas.
  • Tee reflects on being in a car with Terry Brooks. (OMG, he hates me!!!)
  • Meet the Ministry Panel — our kickoff panel
    • Captain Jack the Dapper Cat, making appearances throughout the weekend
    • We start talking about True Detective…but hop back to Vikings.
  •  The True Detective Panel
  • THE NIGHT OF PERKINS
• DemiCon on Saturday
  • Collaborating with Friends (with P.C. and Pip)
    • The many bromances of Tee Morris
    • Christina Payton — our Eliza cosplayer — joins us, making the weekend wrap-up complete.
    • Pip suffers from trust issues, and nearly chokes Aly in talking about it.
    • Manners, please!
    • Hi, Christina! Tell us about your costumes…
    • “This waitress is out to get me!” — Tee
    • We brainstorm on the various Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences action figures.
  • The Book Signing
    • Reactions from Aly and P.C.
    • Plan 9 Burlesque in Chicago — Aly’s first signing, but not her FIRST signing which was DemiCon…kinda.
    • “Pip is an exotic specimen.” — Aly Grauer
    • And once again, the Mango Smoodie story rears its ugly head.
  • Epic Tea Time with Alan Rickman
    • Aly regales us with stories of P.C.’s naiveté.
    • P.C. tries to #blametheboot, and thus a new hashtag is born.
    • Christina and Mel share thoughts on the DemiCon tea party.
    • Reflections on Gung Fu Tea
  • The Guests of Honor Panel Discussion
    • Kind of “Meh.”
    • Not what Tee was expecting or hoping for…
    • Theatre of the Mind: Aly Grauer displays her skills in stealth.
    • The GoH Discussion reflects the tone of DemiCon 25. Not a bad tone, just a little exclusive.
    • Aaaaaaand the server releases another salvo….
  • Women in Steampunk (with Pip)
    • Complete with an appearance from #DapperCat
    • Pip updates and bulks up the Library of Congress talk.
    • A better turnout at DemiCon.
    • Pip name drops. A LOT!
    • Aly shares her favorite things about the talk.
  • The Reading
    • Pip was speaking in cursive.
    • Giving a reading in the style of scandalous actors.
    • What sobers you up? An Australian accent for Pip, apparently.
    • The different stages of speaking: Cursive, Calligraphy, Wingdings
    • The League of Fonts (A College Humor video)
  • The Masquerade (with Aly and Mel)
    • Aly’s incredibly awesome Smaug costume.
    • Mel brings it to DemiCon with the Doctor Who Clockwork Invaders…
    • Doctor Who‘s Weeping Angels…for Dummies.
    • Mel takes the Masquerade!
    • It’s off to the hot tub!
• DemiCon on Sunday
  • The Podcasting Panel
    • GREAT turnout for a 9 a.m. panel
    • The Jesus Sightings
    • P.C. joins Tee for the Podcasting discussion.
    • Tee prefers to be on panels…with other people.
  • What Are You Watching?
    • Tee and Pip stay in genre and then drift out of genre…
    • We forgot Orphan Black. DAMMIT!
• Coming back full circle to Bennigan’s…
• What we all walked away with following DemiCon 25…
• The genesis of Space Happens
• The potential of Space Happens — go and donate at their Kickstarter!!!
• Christina — you’re on mic! GO!!!
• Reminiscing about Emerald City Steampunk Expo…
• And Jolie swings by the table to say “Hey!” and to prove she is still upright after the DemiCon 25 weekend!
• THE SCONES!!!! THE SCONES!!!!

1:28:15 — The Wrap-Up

• Where are we all headed next?
  • Tee, Pip, and P.C. are headed to Balticon! (May 23-26)
  • Christina will be appearing at Clockwork Alchemy (May 23-26)
  • Aly and Mel, along with the Kickstarter, are headed to Salt City SteamFest and TeslaCon
  • Aly will be appearing (and directing) at the Bristol Renaissance Festival and the At Your Service Commedia Troupe
• Renn Faire Chat
• Next Stop: The Brass Armadillo!
• YES! We want your feedback — 703.791.1701
• Aly will not relent on this whole Dawn’s Early Light issue.
• Signing out live. (No, Tee doesn’t break out into song as he does this…)

Episode #34: DemiCon 25 Wrap-Up Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Find us on Twitter at either Tee’s or Pip’s account,
leave us a voicemail or question for the show at 703.791.1701,
or leave us a comment here at the blog.

Enjoy the ride
and we’ll catch you later.

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Tagged as #podcast, Alyson Grauer, Bennigans, breakdown, Christina Payton, cons, convention, DemiCon 25, Des Moines, Emerald Steampunk Expo, fantasy, geek, Guest of Honor, Iowa, look back, Melissa Fox, P.C. Haring, reflections, science fiction, Space Happens, steampunk, tea party, tea time, The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences

It’s taken us a while to get back to the miss but get back to the miss we did! Pip and I took a few minutes before a Writers’ Retreat to fire up the studio and let loose their tongues on works-in-progress. What’s coming down the pike? What will be percolating while in Pigeon Forge? And is it a good idea to talk about works-in-progress? It’s back in black for Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris on this, the first show of 2014!

Episode #27: Talking about Works-in-Progress Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

00:00 — Introduction

• Keeping it simple on account of the upcoming road trip.
• Pip gives Tee a truly “Bazinga” moment….but Tee doesn’t play that drop-in.
• Write by the Rails is holding a blog tour! Come join us!
• What’s coming soon…
  • James River Writers’ The Writing Show, March 27-29
  • Pip Ballantine at the Library of Congress, April 11
  • RavenCon, April 25-27 (Oh, Proper Pie Company, why can’t we quit you?)
  • DemiCon 25, May 1-5 (And who is the Guest of Honor? This guy!!!)
• Thank you, everyone, for the kindness and support through the false start that was Tee’s “new” job.
• And Tee pulls out a flawless ending. Not too shabby after nine years….

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Tagged as #podcast, Alex White, author, DamiCon, future works, James River Writers, job hunt, P.C. Haring, Proper Pie Company, RavenCon, Richmond, works in progress, writing retreat

We were a few days late on posting this, but we have posted — determined to stay on schedule! Yeah, yeah, yeah, we’re a few days late but we’ll be back in two weeks time with some more news and a new topic for you all in what will be a podcast-packed end-of-the-month. All this and more in this — the twentieth episode of The Shared Desk — where we are looking hard at the art of rejection from the toughest people to get it from — your peers.

00:00 — Introduction

• A unique experience — sending out invitations to our anthology’s Dream Team
• Having a chat with friend-of-the-show, P.J. Schnyder, about why she’s a friend but not on the A-List
• Writing with friends is fun. When you’re working for an anthology, however, you need names.
• Author Jeff Vandermeer turned us down…but come on — COME ON — I’m just thankful I can approach him.
• Sometimes, you have to say “No.”
• Tee’s prepping for rejection (and not taking it personally) with Darkwater based on a rejection for The Case of the Singing Sword.
• Remember this about publishing — It’s a business.
• Looking ahead with Kickstarter and advice from J.R. Blackwell.
• Rejection is not a personal thing.

19:22 — Seriously?! Seriously.