In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) discuss motifs and symbolism in writing. Lani goes through the different motifs she either intentionally or unintentionally uses in her own work, and they both caution against the use of clichéd symbols, like relying on weather to reflect a character’s emotions. They also address misconceptions about symbolism and Lani insists that not every detail in a story is symbolic. They encourage writers to develop their own personal motifs and use of symbols in their own works.

This week, we mention:

• Books: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald ; The Eye in the Door by Pat Barker ; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling ; none of this is serious by Catherine Prasifka
• Fandoms: Harry Potter
• Fics: the wolf’s just a puppy (and the door’s double locked) by pebblysand ; castles by pebblysand ; merry men by copper_dust ; Check the Spindle by copper_dust ; The Atoners by copper_dust ; March Hare by copper_dust ;
• Films: Pride and Prejudice ;
• Music: Ren ; Taylor Swift
• Musicals: Rent
• Podcast episodes: S1E12. Writing War (Or, All of Us Are Going to Geneva)
• TV: The OA ; Peaky Blinders ;
• Visual Art: Susan Rotherberg ; Grayson Perry ;

Your recommendations for this week are:

• Baby Reindeer (TV)
• this is how you remember it by Catherine Prasifka

You can find us online at:

• The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify ; ko-fi
• Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3
• Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3