Daggers and Daydreams

S and H Writer's Studio
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Hosted by authors Sophie E. Mills and HJ Worthington-Smith, Daggers & Daydreams is a podcast that celebrates the magic of storytelling. Whether you're a writer, an avid reader, or just someone who loves a great story, this podcast offers an inside look at the creative process, the ups and downs of a writing career, and the books that inspire them.

  1. 08/27/2025

    Dialogue: Giving Your Characters a Voice

    In this episode of Daggers & Daydreams, we dive into one of the trickiest (and most fun!) aspects of writing: dialogue. How do you make it sound real without being boring? How do you give each character a distinct voice? And what do you do when all your characters sound like…you?   We share our earliest (and cringiest) attempts at writing dialogue, the advice that’s actually helped us improve, and the pitfalls we still fall into. Plus, we shout out some of our favourite authors who nail character conversations and unpack what makes their dialogue so effective.   Timestamps:00:20 – Intro00:50 – Earliest memories of writing dialogue (and hilarious fails)08:52 – Making dialogue sound natural (reading aloud, dictation, stealing from real life)11:01 – Giving characters distinct voices (quirks, tone, education, personality)13:55 – Common dialogue pitfalls we’ve fallen into 25:46 – The controversy of dialogue tags31:45 – Little improv game: can you guess whose character is speaking?35:46 – Books/resources that helped us level up37:23 – Dialogue “rules” we’ve happily broken (and why it worked)39:32 – Authors who nail dialogue according to us   Keywords: writing dialogue tips, character voice, realistic dialogue, novel writing craft, witty banter, subtext in fiction

    46 min

  2. 08/20/2025

    World Building in Fiction

    Welcome to Season 4 of Daggers & Daydreams! We’re kicking things off with one of Helen’s favourite topics—worldbuilding. Whether you’re crafting an elaborate fantasy realm or setting your story in the “real” world, the way you build your world shapes your characters, your plot, and the entire reading experience. We talk about what worldbuilding really means, how it differs across genres, and why even contemporary fiction needs it. We also dig into our own processes, what comes first (the world or the characters), the common pitfalls we’ve encountered, and whether you really need that fantasy map. Finally, we share some of our favourite fictional worlds we’d happily live in…and the ones we’d run from screaming. Timestamps00:18 – Season 4 welcome & upcoming topics01:33 – What worldbuilding means to us02:44 – How the world impacts story and character arcs  04:31 – Why worldbuilding matters in all genres10:26 – Differences in worldbuilding between fantasy, sci-fi, and contemporary fiction15:17 – Our personal worldbuilding processes18:00 – What comes first: the character or the world?23:16 – Do you really need a fantasy map? 26:42 – Pitfalls we’ve fallen into when worldbuilding30:55 – Favourite worlds we’d want to live in and worlds we’d definitely avoid 34:05 – Top tips for Worldbuilding36:46 – Closing thoughts   Keywords: worldbuilding tips, writing craft, fantasy writing, contemporary fiction, story setting, character development, novel structure, writing advice

    39 min

  3. 08/13/2025

    Author Interview - Carley Hoffman on YA dystopian writing and building a career

    In this episode of Daggers & Daydreams, we sit down with Carley Hoffman, YA dystopian author of Providence, the first book in a trilogy she began writing while still in high school. Now a college student, Carley is continuing to build her series while balancing life, studies, and a passion for storytelling. We chat about her writing journey—from that very first story idea to turning it into a published novel—and how her process has evolved for book two. Carley opens up about the surprises (both good and bad) of indie publishing, what she’s learned about connecting with readers, and the tools that have made the biggest difference for her. Of course, we couldn’t resist a few fun questions: which character she’d have dinner with, who she’d cast in a Providence adaptation, and the most surprising feedback she’s ever received from a reader. Timestamps 00:18 – Intro & welcome to Carley Hoffman 02:19 – Has storytelling always been part of your life? 03:43 – Writing process: planner, pantser, or in-between? 05:38 – Writing book two: challenges & changes from book one 07:37 – A typical writing day & fitting writing around life 08:48 – Choosing the indie publishing path 10:19 – Biggest surprises about publishing her first book 12:46 – The most rewarding & most challenging parts of being indie 17:17 – Fun Q: Which character would you have dinner with? 18:15 – Most unexpected feedback from a reader 19:16 – Writing software preferences 20:20 – Writing quirks & surprising rituals 22:02 – Advice to her past self before publishing 22:55 – Outro Keywords: YA dystopian, debut author, indie publishing, writing process, author interview, young adult fiction, Providence book series, writing advice for beginners

    25 min

  4. 08/06/2025

    Q&A – Honest Answers, Wild Dreams & Writing Truths

    This season, we’ve covered everything from writing advice and editing tips, to feedback, traditional vs indie publishing, mindset, marketing, and money. Now, we’re wrapping up with something a little more fun—and very real. In this unfiltered Q&A episode, we each brought five unprepared questions to surprise one another with. From honest reflections on our writing careers to dream guests, AI debates, and which ridiculous writing items we secretly want to buy… nothing is off the table. This is a behind-the-scenes chat about being an author in real life, packed with heart, humour, and the kind of conversations you can only have with your writer bestie. Timestamps: 01:05 – Q1: Biggest writing lesson we’ve learned in 2025 so far04:40 – Q2: What does our real dream writing career look like—and could we get there?11:07 – Q3: Our dream podcast guest (hint: one of us gets specific 👀)12:50 – Q4: One thing we always say to our coaching/editing clients14:49 – Q5: Who inspires us creatively, in business, and with mindset?20:10 – Q6: If we got a million-pound book deal—what’s the most irresponsible thing we’d buy?22:53 – Q7: A writing rule we secretly love to break24:06 – Q8: If our inner critics had names and personalities, who would they be?27:10 – Q9: The most ridiculous writing-related item we’d secretly love to own29:32 – Q10: Publishing deal via AI… or only ever self-publishing our own words? Whether you’re here for honest author chat, a dose of writing motivation, or just want to feel a little less alone on the creative journey, this episode is for you. Keywords: beginner writing, debut authors, author Q&A, writing career, writing mindset, creative process, indie publishing, writing advice, podcast for writers

    32 min

  5. 07/30/2025

    Finances – Money, Sales & What It Really Costs to Be a Writer

    Let’s talk numbers. In this candid episode of Daggers & Daydreams, we’re diving into one of the most asked-about but least talked-about parts of the writing journey: money. Whether you’re just starting out or considering publishing your first book, this episode is packed with honest reflections, real figures, and lessons we’ve learned the hard (and expensive) way. From editing costs to royalties, from first draft to final product, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it takes, financially, to be an indie author. We’re not financial advisors, but we are writers who’ve walked the path and are here to share the raw, unfiltered truth. Episode Timestamps: 00:20 – Intro 03:02 – The True Cost of a Book12:02 – Surprise Expenses21:10 – How Much Do You Really Make? 32:51 – Beyond Book Sales 34:42 – Setting Yourself Up for Indie Publishing 39:21 – Pitfalls, Regrets & Smart Spending 42:56 – Why We Still Write (Even When It Doesn’t Pay Much) 45:15 – How Many Books Have We Actually Sold? 50:22 -  Outro Whether you’re getting ready to publish or just starting your first manuscript, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants the financial side of writing demystified. Keywords: beginner writing, writing advice, indie publishing, debut authors, book sales, author income, writing costs, self-publishing, personal finance for creatives, creative careers Links: Season 1 - Episode 7: The Publishing Journey Season 2 - Episode 6: Marketing & Personal Branding: The Hardest Part of Being an Author Reedsy Fiverr Scrivener

    53 min

  6. 07/23/2025

    Author Interview: Helen Worthington-Smith on Identity, Imagination & the Making of Skin Deep

    In this special episode of Daggers & Daydreams, we turn the mic on co-host Helen Worthington-Smith to explore the creative mind behind Skin Deep, a contemporary fantasy debut that dives deep into themes of identity, transformation, and what it means to be truly seen. Helen shares how the idea for Skin Deep first sparked to life, the storytelling influences that shaped her voice, and how she built a world where mistakes are written on your skin for all to see. We talk about the joys and challenges of worldbuilding, her approach to character, and what’s next in the Skin Deep universe. From creative rituals to surprise moments in the drafting process, this conversation is a warm, thoughtful deep dive into one author’s path from inspiration to publication. Whether you're a debut author, a beginner writer, or just someone trying to find your voice, Helen’s story is a powerful reminder that the writing journey is never linear, but always worth it. We also get playful in the final section with imaginative hypotheticals, creative comforts, and some behind-the-scenes fun. If you're looking for writing advice grounded in personal experience, with a side of heart and honesty, this episode is for you. Keywords: beginner writing, writing advice, debut authors, books, fantasy writing, character development, worldbuilding, indie publishing, women who write

    31 min

  7. 07/16/2025

    Marketing & Personal Branding: The Hardest Part of Being an Author?

    Let’s be real, writing a book is one thing, selling it is a whole other beast. In this episode of Daggers & Daydreams, we’re diving into one of the most overwhelming (and often confusing) parts of becoming an author: marketing and personal branding.   Whether you’re going the indie route or aiming for traditional publishing, promotion is part of the job now, and for most debut authors, it can feel like a crash course in business, visibility, and identity all rolled into one.   We’re sharing our own experiences: the good, the awkward, the cringe, and the lessons we’ve learned (and are still learning) about how to show up online, talk about our books, and not lose ourselves in the process.   From awkward social media launches to branding identity crises, this one’s for any beginner writer trying to build their presence while staying true to their voice.   Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: What this episode is really about01:48 – What is marketing and personal branding for authors?02:52 – When we realised this was part of the job04:46 – Early marketing mistakes and what felt weird (or natural)06:27 – Social media journey  17:02 – Marketing more than social media21:33 – What we’ve learned about personal branding so far28:46 – Our honest thoughts on showing up online and the pressures of social media 31:54 – Tips for new writers overwhelmed by branding pressure35:58 – How our relationship with marketing has evolved39:30 – Outro: Still figuring it out—but here’s what we know   Keywords: beginner writing, writing advice, debut authors, author marketing, personal branding, book promotion, writing community, self-publishing, author platform, social media for writers   Whether you're dreading your first book launch or just trying to figure out what your “brand” even is, this episode is a reminder: you’re allowed to be figuring it out, and you don’t have to do it alone.   PS: If you’re a book marketer or branding specialist who’d love to share your insights with our listeners, get in touch—we’d love to have you on the show!

    41 min

  8. 07/09/2025

    Mindset Matters: The Inner Work of Being a Writer

    You can learn all the craft techniques in the world, but without the right mindset, writing can start to feel like a battle you never win. In this episode of Daggers & Daydreams, we’re diving deep into what we believe is the most underrated but essential part of the writing life: mindset. Whether you’re working on your first book or just beginning to call yourself a writer, this episode explores how your inner world shapes your creative process far more than word count goals or plot outlines ever could. We answer 13 honest and vulnerable questions about writing mindset, covering everything from fear of failure to imposter syndrome, creative blocks, limiting beliefs, procrastination, perfectionism, and what it really means to move from amateur to professional (no matter where you are in your publishing journey). We also share the personal rituals and mental shifts that help us stay resilient, creative, and committed to the work, even on the hard days. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Why mindset is the foundation of writing success 02:19 – Our mindset journeys, what’s changed and what’s still a work in progress 10:43 – Defining a healthy writing mindset 13:29 – How mindset helped, or hurt, our writing 16:24 – Common limiting beliefs and how to challenge them 18:40 – Resistance, rejection, and reframing fear 28:47 – The power of rituals, routines, and energy management 34:56 – Coaching yourself through tough writing days 39:43 – Celebrating small wins and cultivating long-term motivation 44:16 – What it really means to think like a professional 47:21 – One mindset principle we swear by 50:32 – Outro: The role of coaching in your mindset journey Keywords: beginner writing, writing advice, writing mindset, creative blocks, debut authors, self-belief, motivation, imposter syndrome, writing rituals, mental resilience, writing growth Writing is hard—but it doesn’t have to be lonely. This episode is a reminder that you’re not the only one struggling—and that with the right mindset, you can keep showing up for your stories, even when doubt creeps in. Book References: Grit - Angela Duckworth Atomic habits - James Clear The War of Art - Steven Pressfield Peak - Robert Pool and Andre Ericsson

    52 min
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About

Hosted by authors Sophie E. Mills and HJ Worthington-Smith, Daggers & Daydreams is a podcast that celebrates the magic of storytelling. Whether you're a writer, an avid reader, or just someone who loves a great story, this podcast offers an inside look at the creative process, the ups and downs of a writing career, and the books that inspire them.

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  • Creator
    S and H Writer's Studio
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © S and H Writer's Studio
  • Show Website
    Daggers and Daydreams