<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2222113/open_sms">Got something to say? Send us a text! </a>This week, Matt and Christina dive into the phenomenon of the &quot;will not read&quot; list. They explore why readers blackball certain authors, noting that these refusals usually transcend simple critiques of writing style and fall into three distinct categories:<ul><li>Moral Objections: The duo discusses personal bans based on an author’s real-world actions. They both refuse to read J.K. Rowling due to her public anti-trans activism, and they examine how allegations against Neil Gaiman—even when unadjudicated—can fundamentally shift a reader&apos;s willingness to offer support.</li><li>The &quot;Industrial Complex&quot; &amp; Market Fatigue: This category focuses on the exhaustion caused by hyper-prolific &quot;brand&quot; authors. They use James Patterson as a primary example, questioning the ethics of his massive co-authoring machine. They also touch on Nora Roberts, discussing how her relentless output of reprints and pseudonyms can lead to reader burnout.</li><li>The Popularity Backlash: Finally, they analyze &quot;80–20&quot; hate—the visceral rejection of authors like Colleen Hoover, Sarah J. Maas, and Stephenie Meyer simply because of their success. This section breaks down the psychology of &quot;bandwagon resistance&quot; and how being a contrarian often becomes a core part of a reader’s identity. </li></ul>They note writers should still read popular authors to learn why the storytelling connects, and conclude that choices reflect values, identity, and which stories shape us. Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.&nbsp; Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.<a rel="payment" href="https://patreon.com/WriteOutLoudPod">Support the show</a>Find out more <a href='https://writeoutloudpod.com'>at our website</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2222113/open_sms"&gt;Got something to say? Send us a text! &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This week, Matt and Christina dive into the phenomenon of the &amp;quot;will not read&amp;quot; list. They explore why readers blackball certain authors, noting that these refusals usually transcend simple critiques of writing style and fall into three distinct categories:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Moral Objections:&lt;/b&gt; The duo discusses personal bans based on an author’s real-world actions. They both refuse to read &lt;b&gt;J.K. Rowling&lt;/b&gt; due to her public anti-trans activism, and they examine how allegations against &lt;b&gt;Neil Gaiman&lt;/b&gt;—even when unadjudicated—can fundamentally shift a reader&amp;apos;s willingness to offer support.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;The &amp;quot;Industrial Complex&amp;quot; &amp;amp; Market Fatigue:&lt;/b&gt; This category focuses on the exhaustion caused by hyper-prolific &amp;quot;brand&amp;quot; authors. They use &lt;b&gt;James Patterson&lt;/b&gt; as a primary example, questioning the ethics of his massive co-authoring machine. They also touch on &lt;b&gt;Nora Roberts&lt;/b&gt;, discussing how her relentless output of reprints and pseudonyms can lead to reader burnout.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Popularity Backlash:&lt;/b&gt; Finally, they analyze &amp;quot;80–20&amp;quot; hate—the visceral rejection of authors like &lt;b&gt;Colleen Hoover, Sarah J. Maas,&lt;/b&gt; and &lt;b&gt;Stephenie Meyer&lt;/b&gt; simply because of their success. This section breaks down the psychology of &amp;quot;bandwagon resistance&amp;quot; and how being a contrarian often becomes a core part of a reader’s identity. &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;They note writers should still read popular authors to learn why the storytelling connects, and conclude that choices reflect values, identity, and which stories shape us.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.&amp;nbsp; Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://patreon.com/WriteOutLoudPod"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Find out more &lt;a href='https://writeoutloudpod.com'&gt;at our website&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Got something to say?  Send us a text!  This week, Matt and Christina dive into the phenomenon of the "will not read" list. They explore why readers blackball certain authors, noting that these refusals usually transcend simple critiques of writing style and fall into three distinct categories: Moral Objections: The duo discusses personal bans based on an author’s real-world actions. They both refuse to read J.K. Rowling due to her public anti-trans activism, and they examine how allegations ...

Exploring the Will-Not-Read List

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2222113/open_sms">Got something to say? Send us a text! </a>Matt and Christina discuss whether spoilers and predictable endings ruin stories, arguing that mystery isn’t dead but often misunderstood. Using examples like Titanic, Pride and Prejudice, superhero and historical films, It Ends With Us, a 60 Minutes Holocaust survivor segment, John Wick, and the musical &amp; Juliet, they emphasize that audiences stay invested because of character journey, growth, emotional impact, and the cost of getting to a known outcome. They frame genre and history as useful storytelling frameworks that reduce pressure on the ending and instead highlight what characters want, what they sacrifice, and how writers can shape audience feeling, which they say is key to compelling work and audience connection. Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.&nbsp; Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.<a rel="payment" href="https://patreon.com/WriteOutLoudPod">Support the show</a>Find out more <a href='https://writeoutloudpod.com'>at our website</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2222113/open_sms"&gt;Got something to say? Send us a text! &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Matt and Christina discuss whether spoilers and predictable endings ruin stories, arguing that mystery isn’t dead but often misunderstood. Using examples like &lt;em&gt;Titanic&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Pride and Prejudice&lt;/em&gt;, superhero and historical films, &lt;em&gt;It Ends With Us&lt;/em&gt;, a 60 Minutes Holocaust survivor segment, &lt;em&gt;John Wick&lt;/em&gt;, and the musical &lt;em&gt;&amp;amp; Juliet&lt;/em&gt;, they emphasize that audiences stay invested because of character journey, growth, emotional impact, and the cost of getting to a known outcome. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They frame genre and history as useful storytelling frameworks that reduce pressure on the ending and instead highlight what characters want, what they sacrifice, and how writers can shape audience feeling, which they say is key to compelling work and audience connection.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.&amp;nbsp; Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://patreon.com/WriteOutLoudPod"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Find out more &lt;a href='https://writeoutloudpod.com'&gt;at our website&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Got something to say?  Send us a text!  Matt and Christina discuss whether spoilers and predictable endings ruin stories, arguing that mystery isn’t dead but often misunderstood. Using examples like Titanic, Pride and Prejudice, superhero and historical films, It Ends With Us, a 60 Minutes Holocaust survivor segment, John Wick, and the musical &amp; Juliet, they emphasize that audiences stay invested because of character journey, growth, emotional impact, and the cost of getting to a known ou...

When the Journey Matters: Unraveling Predictable Endings

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2222113/open_sms">Got something to say? Send us a text! </a>Matt and Christina discuss Rachel Reid’s romance Heated Rivalry and its HBO adaptation, focusing on the rivals-to-lovers relationship between Ilya and Shane, the slow-burn tension, and the mix of tenderness, humor, and emotional devastation. They talk about how the story’s public “hate” is more about competition and concealment—especially tied to Shane’s uncertainty about his sexuality—while Ilya is more self-assured but constrained by his Russian home life and the risk of losing his family if he comes out. They highlight standout acting choices, especially Connor Storie’s micro-expressions and the show’s physical storytelling (small gestures, unspoken moments), citing scenes like Rose’s diner conversation, Shane’s panic attack with Ilya comforting him, and the impact of Scott and Kip going public and showing a supportive father figure. The hosts note the value of LGBTQ representation, including mention of a hockey player coming out after the show aired, and they discuss how the series challenges toxic masculinity without lecturing. They speculate about season two, including possible focus on backstory, where the couples go next, whether later books like The Long Game will be adapted, and the question of Shane and Ilya becoming public, while praising the craft that makes the emotional payoff feel earned Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.&nbsp; Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.<a rel="payment" href="https://patreon.com/WriteOutLoudPod">Support the show</a>Find out more <a href='https://writeoutloudpod.com'>at our website</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2222113/open_sms"&gt;Got something to say? Send us a text! &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Matt and Christina discuss Rachel Reid’s romance &lt;em&gt;Heated Rivalry&lt;/em&gt; and its HBO adaptation, focusing on the rivals-to-lovers relationship between Ilya and Shane, the slow-burn tension, and the mix of tenderness, humor, and emotional devastation. They talk about how the story’s public “hate” is more about competition and concealment—especially tied to Shane’s uncertainty about his sexuality—while Ilya is more self-assured but constrained by his Russian home life and the risk of losing his family if he comes out. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They highlight standout acting choices, especially Connor Storie’s micro-expressions and the show’s physical storytelling (small gestures, unspoken moments), citing scenes like Rose’s diner conversation, Shane’s panic attack with Ilya comforting him, and the impact of Scott and Kip going public and showing a supportive father figure. The hosts note the value of LGBTQ representation, including mention of a hockey player coming out after the show aired, and they discuss how the series challenges toxic masculinity without lecturing. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They speculate about season two, including possible focus on backstory, where the couples go next, whether later books like The Long Game will be adapted, and the question of Shane and Ilya becoming public, while praising the craft that makes the emotional payoff feel earned&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.&amp;nbsp; Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://patreon.com/WriteOutLoudPod"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Find out more &lt;a href='https://writeoutloudpod.com'&gt;at our website&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Got something to say?  Send us a text!  Matt and Christina discuss Rachel Reid’s romance Heated Rivalry and its HBO adaptation, focusing on the rivals-to-lovers relationship between Ilya and Shane, the slow-burn tension, and the mix of tenderness, humor, and emotional devastation. They talk about how the story’s public “hate” is more about competition and concealment—especially tied to Shane’s uncertainty about his sexuality—while Ilya is more self-assured but constrained by his Russian home ...

Romance on Ice: The Compelling Story of 'Heated Rivalry'

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2222113/open_sms">Got something to say? Send us a text! </a>In this episode of &apos;Write Out Loud,&apos; Matt and Christina return after a brief hiatus to tackle the complex question of whether writers should be vocal about their personal political beliefs or let their work speak for itself. They discuss the implications and potential consequences for artists who choose to speak out in an age where silence isn&apos;t neutral, but speaking up carries its own risks. They also explore how audience reactions and societal expectations can influence an artist&apos;s decision to voice their opinions. The conversation touches on historical and contemporary examples, including artists&apos; roles in political discussions and the personal stakes involved. Ultimately, the episode encourages listeners to consider their own stances on whether art should challenge worldviews or simply entertain. Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.&nbsp; Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.<a rel="payment" href="https://patreon.com/WriteOutLoudPod">Support the show</a>Find out more <a href='https://writeoutloudpod.com'>at our website</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2222113/open_sms"&gt;Got something to say? Send us a text! &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &amp;apos;Write Out Loud,&amp;apos; Matt and Christina return after a brief hiatus to tackle the complex question of whether writers should be vocal about their personal political beliefs or let their work speak for itself. They discuss the implications and potential consequences for artists who choose to speak out in an age where silence isn&amp;apos;t neutral, but speaking up carries its own risks. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They also explore how audience reactions and societal expectations can influence an artist&amp;apos;s decision to voice their opinions. The conversation touches on historical and contemporary examples, including artists&amp;apos; roles in political discussions and the personal stakes involved. Ultimately, the episode encourages listeners to consider their own stances on whether art should challenge worldviews or simply entertain.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.&amp;nbsp; Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://patreon.com/WriteOutLoudPod"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Find out more &lt;a href='https://writeoutloudpod.com'&gt;at our website&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Got something to say?  Send us a text!  In this episode of 'Write Out Loud,' Matt and Christina return after a brief hiatus to tackle the complex question of whether writers should be vocal about their personal political beliefs or let their work speak for itself. They discuss the implications and potential consequences for artists who choose to speak out in an age where silence isn't neutral, but speaking up carries its own risks.  They also explore how audience reactions and societal e...

Authors and Artists Getting Political - Is it worth it?

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2222113/open_sms">Got something to say? Send us a text! </a>In this episode of &apos;Write Out Loud&apos;, Matt and Christina delve into the nuance of ambiguous endings in storytelling, inspired by the classic short story &apos;The Lady or the Tiger&apos; by Frank R. Stockton. They discuss how modern TV shows like &apos;Stranger Things&apos; are using this narrative technique to engage audiences and challenge them to imagine their own conclusions. The conversation touches on the importance of imaginative engagement, the risks and rewards of ambiguous storytelling, and the impact of divided attention in the age of smartphones. The hosts advocate for compelling storytelling that captivates the audience&apos;s full attention and encourages critical thinking. Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.&nbsp; Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.<a rel="payment" href="https://patreon.com/WriteOutLoudPod">Support the show</a>Find out more <a href='https://writeoutloudpod.com'>at our website</a>.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2222113/open_sms"&gt;Got something to say? Send us a text! &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &amp;apos;Write Out Loud&amp;apos;, Matt and Christina delve into the nuance of ambiguous endings in storytelling, inspired by the classic short story &amp;apos;The Lady or the Tiger&amp;apos; by Frank R. Stockton. They discuss how modern TV shows like &amp;apos;Stranger Things&amp;apos; are using this narrative technique to engage audiences and challenge them to imagine their own conclusions. The conversation touches on the importance of imaginative engagement, the risks and rewards of ambiguous storytelling, and the impact of divided attention in the age of smartphones. The hosts advocate for compelling storytelling that captivates the audience&amp;apos;s full attention and encourages critical thinking.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.&amp;nbsp; Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://patreon.com/WriteOutLoudPod"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Find out more &lt;a href='https://writeoutloudpod.com'&gt;at our website&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Got something to say?  Send us a text!  In this episode of 'Write Out Loud', Matt and Christina delve into the nuance of ambiguous endings in storytelling, inspired by the classic short story 'The Lady or the Tiger' by Frank R. Stockton. They discuss how modern TV shows like 'Stranger Things' are using this narrative technique to engage audiences and challenge them to imagine their own conclusions. The conversation touches on the importance of imaginative engagement, the risks and rewards of ...

The Art of Uncertainty: Crafting Stories for the Modern Audience

<div>Join hosts Matt and Tina as they discuss all things story, writing, finding your voice, and more! &nbsp; We'll explore writing and storytelling as a general topic, but we will also spend some time dissecting and talking about popular works like our first focus: "Heartstopper!"</div>

Write Out Loud

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