Project: Shadow Charlie Dorsett

The episode of Project: Shadow titled "Writing for a Subscription Platform" features Charlie, a non-binary sci-fi and fantasy writer, discussing the unique challenges and opportunities of writing for a subscription-based platform. Charlie contrasts this model with traditional novel writing, highlighting the constant need for engaging content in subscription writing and the different kind of pressure it entails.



Charlie explains that in subscription writing, each part of the story must be captivating, unlike a novel where the overall narrative holds precedence. This model allows for the story to evolve and grow over time, offering a more dynamic and interactive experience for both the writer and the audience.



The subscription model is detailed as a process where readers pay a small fee for early access to drafts and the opportunity to influence the story's direction. Charlie emphasizes the benefits of having committed beta readers (or alpha readers) who provide valuable feedback throughout the writing process.



Charlie shares personal experiences and strategies, including a shift towards more outlining than usual, while still allowing room for spontaneous creativity. They also express the vulnerability and fear associated with sharing early, unrefined drafts and the worry that their work might not resonate with readers.



The discussion then shifts to the mechanics of using a platform like Ream for publishing drafts and the fear of judgment that writers face. Charlie questions traditional publication methods' sustainability and suggests that the subscription model aligns more closely with modern readers' preferences for interactive and regularly updated content.



Finally, Charlie invites listeners to join them on their writing journey through their podcast, "The Nonbinary Writer," and teases future episodes focusing on media analysis, specifically Star Trek and Star Wars.


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In this heartfelt episode, Charlie shares their personal journey through a period of burnout, not from overwork, but due to the overwhelming nature of current global and personal challenges. They discuss the difficulty in balancing their passion for discussing media with the increasingly toxic environment in fandom debates and the broader societal turmoil.

Charlie reflects on their disappointment with recent media, like the adaptation of "Dune," and how it missed capturing the essence of the source material's themes, which are so relevant today. They express frustration with the public's misinterpretation of their work and the struggle to find relevance and joy in creating art amidst the chaos of the world.

This episode delves into the importance of finding joy in small things and the necessity of living in the present rather than waiting for a better future. Charlie emphasizes the significance of the little joys in life and how they keep us going, despite the overwhelming nature of global issues like climate change and social injustices.


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In this introspective and philosophical episode, Charlie delves into the complexities of mental health, particularly focusing on the challenges of self-doubt and depression. They discuss the struggle to balance self-esteem and self-doubt, framing these as a spectrum rather than binary opposites. Charlie shares personal experiences of interpreting support from friends as pity, a manifestation of their ongoing battle with depression and self-esteem issues.



The episode touches on the broader societal context, including the ongoing difficulties faced during Pride month and the seemingly apocalyptic state of the world, which exacerbates personal struggles. Charlie also explores the concept of oscillation, derived from metamodernism, as a way to navigate between extremes of thought and emotion, offering a nuanced perspective on handling life's complexities.



Themes of self-awareness, the subjective nature of reality, and the importance of understanding one's mental health narratives are central to the discussion. The episode aims to provide comfort and guidance to listeners who may be experiencing similar challenges, encouraging them to find balance and strength in their oscillation between different states of being.


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In this emotionally charged episode, Charlie reflects on the changing nature of Pride in a time of increased legislative attacks on the trans community and a rise in societal tensions. The episode, titled "This Pride is Difficult," provides a candid and heartfelt commentary on the current struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in the context of widespread drag bans, legal challenges to trans rights, and the impact of societal violence.

Charlie shares personal experiences and insights, highlighting the difficulties in creating content amidst ongoing tragedies and the complexities of navigating life under restrictive state laws. This episode also addresses the sense of guilt and responsibility felt in the face of these challenges, emphasizing the importance of community support and action.

Despite the serious tone, Charlie strives to foster a sense of hope and solidarity, urging listeners to acknowledge the realities of the situation while also finding ways to safely speak out and support each other. The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to engage and communicate through Charlie's platform, encouraging continued dialogue and action within the community.

Themes:


The evolving nature of Pride as a protest in challenging times
The impact of legislative and societal attacks on the LGBTQ+ community
Personal struggles and reflections on activism and advocacy
The importance of community, communication, and solidarity in the face of adversity

Notable Quotes:


"This year, Pride needs to be a protest."
"It's okay not to have answers... but it's not okay to remain silent."
"We can't do this alone. We have to do it together."




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Welcome to Project: Shadow! I'm excited to announce that my new album, Born in Shadow, is finally out! This album marks the beginning of a lot of new music that I have in store for you. If you've been following my music, you may recognize some tracks on this album, but let me break it down for you.

The first two tracks, Motion and Disharmony in Accord, are blasts from the past from my first album, Manifesto, which was released over 20 years ago. These tracks have been remastered and give you a glimpse into where my music journey started.

The next two tracks on the album are covers of the Ghost songs, He is and Cirice, which were the first tracks I made when I started making music again a couple of years ago.

The rest of the album features remastered versions of the singles I released over the last couple of years, including Finding Joy, Have Mercy, Into the Dream Realm, Salvatrix Mundi, and Don't Want.

I'm thrilled with how this album turned out, and I feel like I'm finally making music the way I want to. If you want to learn more about the album, head over to Project: Shadow!

Check out my other podcasts and writing at ProjectShadow.com.

Music:  Intro music by Project: Shadow

If you want to support the work that I do, you can join the project on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cedorsett

Or buy me a Coffee on Ko-fi.

Join my Discord.

Myth Weaving, my Writing and World Building Podcast= https://anchor.fm/mythweaving

Project: Shadow YouTube Channel= https://www.youtube.com/c/Projectshadowsite/

Personal YouTube Channel= https://www.youtube.com/user/cedorsett/

Site: https://www.projectshadow.com

Dragon's of Night: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/dragons-of-night

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cedorsett

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectshadowsite/


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In this episode of Project: Shadow, we dive into the gay episode of The Last of Us and explore the problematic tropes that it leans into. We examine the harmful effects of these tropes and how they perpetuate harmful stereotypes and stigmas about the LGBTQ+ community.

We start by discussing the first trope, which suggests that all gay people are the same and have the same experiences. This trope is harmful because it erases the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community and reduces individuals to a monolithic group.

The second trope we discuss is queer male body shaming. This trope is harmful because it reinforces the harmful idea that there is only one acceptable way to look as a gay man, and anyone who does not fit that mold is ostracized and ridiculed.

Next, we delve into the third trope, which portrays queer relationships as predatory and domineering. This trope is harmful because it reinforces the idea that same-sex relationships are inherently dysfunctional or abusive, which is not the case.

We then examine the fourth trope, which suggests that death or "un-aliving" can be romantic for queer characters. This trope is harmful because it reinforces the idea that queer love can only exist in the context of tragedy or pain, which is a harmful and limiting representation.

The fifth trope we discuss is "bury your gays," which suggests that queer characters are disposable and can be killed off for shock value. This trope is harmful because it reinforces the idea that LGBTQ+ characters are less valuable than their straight counterparts and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.

Finally, we touch on the issue of tokenism, which is when a character is added to a story solely for the purpose of diversity without giving them any real depth or development. This trope is harmful because it reduces queer characters to a checkbox and fails to give them the same treatment and consideration as other characters.

Throughout the episode, we ask the question: Why did this episode and series get a pass? We explore the various factors that may have contributed to the acceptance of these harmful tropes, and examine the ways in which we can work to be more mindful and inclusive in our media consumption and creation.

Check out my other podcasts and writing at ProjectShadow.com.

Music:  Intro music by Project: Shadow

If you want to support the work that I do, you can join the project on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cedorsett

Or buy me a Coffee on Ko-fi.

Join my Discord.

Myth Weaving, my Writing and World Building Podcast= https://anchor.fm/mythweaving

Project: Shadow YouTube Channel= https://www.youtube.com/c/Projectshadowsite/

Personal YouTube Channel= https://www.youtube.com/user/cedorsett/

Site: https://www.projectshadow.com

Dragon's of Night: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/dragons-of-night

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cedorsett

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectshadowsite/


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