In this episode we dissect Dakota's Chapter 5 - The Duality of Rest that follows the aftermath of Alora's true identity being revealed to the crew. We discuss cuts, character progression, whether or not quiet chapters work, and tackle a problem spot to ensure payoff for readers. One of the best parts of having a writing critique partner is being able to bounce ideas off someone and untangle those stubborn story elements that you'd otherwise be left sweating and swearing over!

Follow the podcast on Instagram @thebestsellers_beginning or tag along for the ride with Lianna and Dakota on Instagram and Threads @lifeng.stories and @locodakoko.writes.

Patreon in progress! Maybe? Someday?

Co-hosted, edited, and produced by: Lianna Feng and Dakota S.

Artwork by: Rachel Mehus

Music by: Dakota via the magic of GarageBand

Disclaimer: Concepts and writing shared on this podcast are our own. While we hope to inspire our fellow writers, please don’t be a dick and plagiarize lol!

Things are a little crazy so our deepest apologies for an out of order bonus episode, but hey, it works out because in this bonus we talk mainly about word count expectations for genres and making big cuts and next episode (on Dakota's Chapter 5 to no one's surprise) will also center around that! It's aaaalll coming together. We also talk about pacing in storytelling, generating diamond-hard sparkling vampire skin after critiques, and some of our latest reads and watches!

Follow the podcast on Instagram @thebestsellers_beginning or tag along for the ride with Lianna and Dakota on Instagram and Threads @lifeng.stories and @locodakoko.writes.

Patreon in progress! Maybe? Someday?

Co-hosted, edited, and produced by: Lianna Feng and Dakota S.

Artwork by: Rachel Mehus

Music by: Dakota via the magic of GarageBand

Disclaimer: Concepts and writing shared on this podcast are our own. While we hope to inspire our fellow writers, please don’t be a dick and plagiarize lol!

MERMAIDS! There's mermaids guys! In this episode we dissect Lianna's chapter 5 when things start to heat up for our FMC Olivia as she takes matters into her own hands to go track down and question the one lead she has. This is another deep dive critique where we discuss character continuity, writing emotional impact, getting readers to resonate with off page characters, backstory, and prose!

Follow the podcast on Instagram @thebestsellers_beginning or tag along for the ride with Lianna and Dakota on Instagram and Threads @lifeng.stories and @locodakoko.writes.

Patreon in progress! Maybe? Someday?

Co-hosted, edited, and produced by: Lianna Feng and Dakota S.

Artwork by: Rachel Mehus

Music by: Dakota via the magic of GarageBand

Disclaimer: Concepts and writing shared on this podcast are our own. While we hope to inspire our fellow writers, please don’t be a dick and plagiarize lol!