We're deep in hockey romance territory this week as the group tackles a submission featuring contract clauses, curse words in French Canadian, and one very good dog named Clyde who's clearly the real star of this critique session.

From the mysterious "Clause 53B" (which we're definitely stealing for our own books) to the eternal struggle of making characters move through scenes without sounding like robots, this episode has everything: pen-twirling coaches, emotional family baggage, and the age-old question of when dialogue tags help versus when they just get in the way.

Expect passionate debates about the phrase "coach's assumption," why "I cut through the air with one hand, sharp" needs more context (and definitely shouldn't involve jerking motions), and the fine art of the rule of three when your character is having an emotional breakdown. Plus: the ongoing battle against overused words, why Etienne needs to put down that pen for dramatic effect, and how Clyde the dog is basically providing masterclass-level scene direction just by existing.

Come for the hockey drama, stay for the group's collective obsession with making every sentence earn its place on the page. Fair warning: contains multiple references to masturbation concerns, French Canadian authenticity checks, and at least one moment where we all get distracted by a very good boy who might deserve a cookie.

Kissing Books Critique is the podcast where indie romance authors get real-time manuscript feedback from fellow writers who know the genre inside and out. Whether you're struggling with enemies-to-lovers dynamics, trying to nail authentic dialogue, or wondering why your editor keeps flagging the same issues, our live critique sessions break down romance writing craft with humor, honesty, and zero sugar-coating. Perfect for new romance writers, indie authors seeking community, and anyone who wants to improve their writing while laughing at the beautiful disasters we all create on the page. Join our group of romance authors as we lovingly dissect submissions, celebrate breakthrough moments, and prove that the best writing advice comes from writers who've been exactly where you are now.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're deep in Resting Brood Face territory this week as Vicki's Catching Trouble continues with Maxime's chapter two, where our grumpy hero discovers that scowling at customers might not be the best business strategy. From "wild, untamed Poseidon king" energy (our first yellow highlight!) to the eternal struggle of whether your protagonist wants to "please them or poison them," we're unpacking what happens when your brooding MMC needs an attitude adjustment.

Expect fierce opinions on missing paragraph breaks that leave us guessing who's speaking, the fine art of making your hero's stakes crystal clear without getting vague and foreshadowy, and why "I'm not changing meat suppliers" might be the funniest defensive response we've heard all year.

There's also a heated sidebar on French beach club terminology (spoiler: it's not what you think), spatial confusion that had us wondering if characters were teleporting across tables, and the ongoing mystery of when exactly coffee became an evening beverage.

Come for the business advice critique, stay for the collective realization that sometimes your chapter just needs more work—and that's perfectly okay because we're all here to help you polish that diamond.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.