I have sadly neglected my Blue Sky and I aim to improve that. So to get you all up to date with me, I am delighted to announce that I am hopelessly obsessed with Heated Rivalry.

HELLO I AM A DISEMBODIED HEAD

Who has a finished manuscript after a year of crash outs?

You know what’s so funny about the Meghan Markle haters? They are giving her free advertising for her show. So I watched it. And I thought it was nice. I’m going to try her one pot spaghetti recipe now.

This book is a trip.

New episode! Hunger Games, Squid Games, Dungeon Crawler Carl...Hayley Chow joins me on the podcast to talk about Death Games! Ways to listen: vickielan.com/speculative-...

New episode! What should novel writers know about screen writing? Author Luis Prieto joins the podcast to talk about the basics of writing a screenplay (or an audio drama!). Ways to listen: vickielan.com/speculative-...

Indie audio drama podcast producers looking for voice talent…would love to work together! #audiodrama #indiepodcast #voicetalent

New podcast episode! Mysteries, suspense, thrillers...how can writers use secrets to advance their plots? Author Teddie Peacock joins the podcast to discuss the many ways to build intrigue and keep your readers (and characters!) guessing. Ways to listen: vickielan.com/speculative-...

New episode! Author Avitus B. Carle joins Vickie Lan on the podcast to read her story How We Survive, and to provide insight on the 'flash' side of fiction writing. Ways to listen: vickielan.com/speculative-...

New episode! Damien Alameda returns to the podcast to discuss the Avenging Angels trope! Learn what drives these “angels” and distinguishes them from a classic hero’s journey, whether they need to have a bigger impact than just their self interest, and much more. vickielan.com/speculative-...

I didn’t realize there were so many right and wrong ways to make a vision board.

New episode! Author Emily Colin discusses the building blocks of romance in speculative fiction, including how to keep momentum after after the couple gets together, how character development and plot progression impact the relationship, and more. #podcast Ways listen: vickielan.com/speculative-...

Almost 2/3rds through this WIP. Feeling pretty good.

Catch me on Red Note!

I have so much catching up to do on this app! I host a podcast and we workshop the tropes that make fiction fun. If you’re interested in our latest episodes, check out the link in bio for ways to listen! #podcastrecommendations #writingpodcasts

A new newsletter is going out tomorrow morning! Subscribe if you haven’t yet to get in on the fun! mailchi.mp/8748d66518a9...

I love this WIP so much. #amwriting

There’s no better feeling than having a WIP and feeling clear-headed about it. #amwriting

🔔New episode! Neal Holtschulte cycles back to the podcast to talk about time loops! From "Groundhogs Day" to "The Flash", how can time loops be used to propel character growth, and what can writers do to avoid falling in a plot spiral? vickielan.com/speculative-...

It’s been a long time since I updated this account, but the Speculative Sandbox podcast is still going strong! Learn about the tropes that make fiction fun! vickielan.com/speculative-...

Is Blue Sky more popular for the writing community than Threads?

Happy Halloween! Author John James Minster returns to the podcast to share his experience with the paranormal and how he instills authenticity in his horror writing. Ways to listen: Linktr.ee/speculativesandbox

Do you have difficulty starting your manuscript? Author and Roundtable Radio podcast host Odin Halvorson returns in this Author Takeover to discuss the ways writers can channel their creative muse. Ways to listen: linktr.ee/speculativesandbox

Newcomer and author D. A. Randall joins the podcast to talk about the Birth of a Superhero. Ways to listen: linktr.ee/speculativesandbox

Author Garrett K. Jones from our episode on “Unreliable Narrators” takes over the podcast to examine the evolution of storytelling in media, from the episodic format of early sitcoms to the long-form storytelling of today. Linktr.ee/speculativesandbox

Please welcome newcomer Author Katee Stein to Speculative Sandbox, where she walks us through the importance of creating safe spaces and communities as writers. 🎧: linktr.ee/speculatives...

Honored to be on Creative Peacemeal Podcast, where I chatted with Tammy Takaishi on writing, Tucson Comic Con, and food. Listen: creativepeacemeal.buzzsprout.com/1488151/1355...

How can writers use symbolism to enrich their work? Drag Queen and Author Joshua Valentine, the "Lady Gaga of the Writing World", joins Speculative Sandbox to unpack symbolism in storytelling. 🎧: linktr.ee/speculatives...

Thrilled to announce that I’m now represented by the amazing and dynamic @herringali.bsky.social !!

Fantasy author and Shakespeare teacher David Hopkins joins the podcast to talk about the twisted paths of succession. From George R.R. Martin’s “Game of Thrones” to HBO’s “Succession”, what makes an effective succession story? Listen now! 🎧: linktr.ee/speculatives...

Continuing our talk from our episode "Madness", Ian Young returns to the podcast to talk about "Mass Hysteria." What did the term "hysteria" originally mean? And does a panic on a large scale always have a scientific explanation? Listen: linktr.ee/speculativesandbox

What is scifaiku and astropoetry? Wendy Van Camp, Poet Laureate for the City of Anaheim, CA, joins the podcast for a poetry reading and lesson. Ways to listen: Linktr.ee/speculativesandbox

🚨New episode!🚨 Could we one day customize our own bodies? Author and podcast host Jordan Griffin joins Speculative Sandbox to talk about gene-editing. How close are we to science fiction? We break down the science. 🎧: linktr.ee/speculatives...

🔍New ep! From combatting systemic oppression to leaning into gender stereotypes to solve the case, female sleuths tend to find themselves in interesting situations. Author Brittany Sweeting joins the podcast to talk about female sleuths! 🎧: http://linktr.ee/speculativesandbox

New episode! Author and robot enthusiast Mara Lynn Johnstone joins Speculative Sandbox to unpack the character development opportunities of fictional robots. Ways to listen: linktr.ee/speculativesandbox

🚨New episode!🚨 Can we always trust what we read? Author and podcaster Garrett K. Jones joins Speculative Sandbox to unpack the unreliable narrator. 🎧: linktr.ee/speculativesandbox #podcastrecommendation #writingcommunity #writingtips

New episode! Author Matthew C. Brown returns to the podcast to discuss the redemption character arc! Listen now: linktr.ee/speculativesandbox

New episode! Author Neal Holtschulte returns to the podcast to discuss the latest developments in artificial intelligence, including ChatGPT and its impact on writers and industry professionals. Ways to listen: linktr.ee/speculativesandbox

The butler did it! Or...did they? Author Gabrielle Chmilar joins the podcast to investigate the usual suspects in a "whodunit" mystery, as well as the plot structure that allows authors to truly surprise their readers in the second-half of the story. 🎧: http://linktr.ee/speculativesandbox

It’s the weekend! Time for writing, reading, and a new profile pic.

🎙️NEW EPISODE: Whether you're writing about paranormal investigations or are simply curious, author and paranormal investigator Daniel Bautz joins the podcast with a wealth of information that will inspire even the non-believer. Listen: linktr.ee/speculativesandbox

I have three projects that I ❤️ so much. - Estranged mother/daughter must reconcile if they hope to survive an alien invasion. - Paranormal therapist hopes to find her mom’s ghost in a quaint Asian American town. - Rival sisters compete for power in a post apocalyptic cult colony.

A character in my WIP was a podcaster, but I had no experience in podcasting. So I started a podcast. 😅 I’m not saying everything requires this much research, but it certainly hasn’t hurt! Almost a year and a half in, and it has a top-10% global listen score. Not bad!

Why does there have to be “palate”, “palette”, and “pallet”??? 😫😫😫

New episode! 🎙️Fantasy Author and Podcaster Richie Billing joins Speculative Sandbox to talk about music and storytelling. We cover musical history, character leitmotifs, genre sound coding, and the psychological benefits of music. 🎧: linktr.ee/speculativesandbox #podcastrecommendations

Once again, I am watching The Witcher mainly so I can stare in awe at Yennifer.

Do you love speculative fiction? You may love my podcast! Each episode, we unpack a different fiction trope. Dystopian societies, the Chosen One, Doomed Mentors, End of the World stakes, and more. Includes author interviews. linktr.ee/speculativesandbox