Jim Butcher returns! This time, Ben and Guillermo talk with Jim briefly about some of the benefits of writing in a modern day setting. They also dive a bit into how writing in first person can make for a deeper character. Then Ben and Guillermo spend some quality time together. They talk about some writing hardships (and victories) they've been experiencing since they last spoke. Also, they get onto the topic of a mash-up they would love to see happen (hint: Chicago's only professional wizard meets Alabama's best monster hunter). Write!

Note: if you find the sound quality way too crappy and decide not to listen, we won't be offended. Ben and Guillermo are driving home from the airport and decided to record an episode. What did they talk about? What everybody's talking about: the newest installment of the Dresden Files, Cold Days. They give a thorough review (the cool stuff and the awesome stuff) and avoid too many spoilers (don't worry, they'll tell you when the spoilers are coming). Enjoy. We'll have Jim Butcher back on the show in a few days to talk about some more writing topics. WRITE!

That's right. Jim. Butcher. Ben and Guillermo got the chance to nerd out with one of their favorite authors of all time! And he was gracious enough to not hang up the phone and run away screaming (we only scream a little bit...like rabid teenage girls at a Backstreet Boys concert). Also, Jim got some good news while he was on the line with us. Listen to the episode to find out what it is. Find Jim here: Jim-Butcher.com. follow him on Twitter (@longshotauthor), and find some amazing writing advice here: Jim's Live Journal! Enjoy the episode (we hope you like it as much as we did), and don't forget, Jim will be returning next week for more stuff!  WRITE!

The mighty mighty Mur (host of I Should Be Writing, among other things) stops by for our final NaNoWriMo episode (maybe you should use the advice in this one for next month?). You can hear more from Mur here: MurVerse.com. Then Ben and Guillermo talk about their feelings. No, really...they do.

Rachel Aaron (RachelAaron.net) stops by to talk about her new book, 2k to 10k (buy it here!) and how to keep up your enthusiasm during NaNoWriMo. Then Ben and Guillermo talk about meeting their own wordcounts and being stalked by the Slender Man while doing the Gangnam Style dance (no, I'm not kidding). Enjoy, and WRITE!

Five days into NaNoWriMo! We hope you guys are having a blast! If you're finding it hard to reach your wordcount goals, try this little trick that Dan Wells shares with us in this episode: set a writing schedule and stick to it. Enjoy the epsiode, we'll be back with more NaNoWriMo goodness in the weeks to come. Write!

It's a super-double-bonus episode this week! Dave Robison of the Roundtable Podcast stops in yet again to help Ben brainstorm an idea (to see more like this, don't forget to check out the Roundtable Podcast). THEN they tackle the ever elusive topic of finding the theme in your writing (Lou Anders gets a massive shout-out here...thanks, Lou!). Enjoy. WRITE!

Posted By Ben

A great book for any writer wanting to make the transition to author. I've always loved Rachel's advice, and it's nice to have a "greatest hits" compilation all in one book along with the added bonuses. The editing stuff was probably the highlight: something to look forward to when I actually do get around to finishing a project. Recommended highly for anybody that wants to tell stories for a living.

5 out of 5