Makin' Stuff with Macon Leigh

Macon Leigh
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Arts

A Podcast about craft, creativity, and why making queer art matters

Episodes

  1. Jul 9

    Makin' Stuff with Bryce Oakley

    In this episode of Makin’ Stuff, Bryce Oakley joins us to share her journey from a book-loving kid to an MFA student to a successful sapphic romance author. We explore the importance of authenticity, representation, and humor in Bryce’s writing and life. She digs into the joys and challenges of balancing motherhood with creative work, as well as the value of self-publishing and staying true to one's voice. Bryce and I then get into what it means to lose a fandom that matters to you, how authors think about events, how they create community, and how to use our privilege and platforms for good. We dive deep into creativity, identity, and why community matters now more than ever. We also give a couple of sapphic lit hot takes that prove exactly why I couldn’t find a way to start a fight with her. I hope you enjoy this conversation, and Bryce, as much as I did! It’s a heartfelt banger of an episode. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Bryce Oakley 02:38 The Journey to Writing Sapphic Fiction 05:11 The Impact of MFA Programs on Writing 07:42 The Legitimacy of Romance and Genre 10:38 The DIY Spirit of Queerness in Publishing 13:28 Authenticity in Writing and Representation 15:57 The Artist's Journey and Societal Expectations 18:47 The Value of Artistic Careers 21:29 Crafting Comedy in Romance 24:11 The Mechanics of Romantic Comedy 26:57 Exploring Dark Humor in Writing 29:36 The Unexpected Choices in Storytelling 32:55 The Art of Perspective in Storytelling 36:01 Crafting Humor Through Narrative Distance 39:29 Navigating Writing as a Parent 45:25 Balancing Identity and Creativity as a Parent 49:31 The Impact of Role Models on Parenting 53:05 Finding Inspiration in Music and Community 56:31 Betrayal of Trust in Art 01:05:20 Responsibility as an Artist 01:10:41 The Importance of Queer Representation 01:12:37 The Value of Happy Endings 01:14:44 Challenging Literary Tropes 01:18:02 Finding Joy in Storytelling Find Bryce at her website, Instagram, or being the coolest person you know in the real world.

    Makin' Stuff with Bryce Oakley

  2. Jun 25

    Makin' Stuff with JJ Arias

    In this episode, JJ Arias shares her journey to becoming one of the most important and prolific sapphic romance novelists working today. We go deep into the craft of storytelling, the power and importance of writing internal journeys, and how JJ pushes her creative boundaries as part of her writing practice. We truly go full nerd mode in this one, dissecting the nuances of writing compelling characters, the importance of authenticity, and the power of queer stories. I also go embarrassingly hard, far too hard, in picking a fight with JJ about Ice Queens. I hope y’all have as much fun with this one as I did! Chapters00:00 Introducing JJ Arias02:00 The Journey of Becoming a Writer04:39 The Influence of Reading on Writing05:26 Nora Roberts, Reading Broadly, and Learning the Rhythm of Story07:37 Understanding Craft and Storytelling10:26 Exploring Themes in Writing12:53 The Intersection of Horror and Romance15:09 The Role of Fear in Storytelling17:56 The Complexity of Horror and Survival20:31 Queer Identity in Horror Literature23:24 The Safe Space of Romance for Dark Themes31:11 The Creative Process: Inspiration and Story Development39:11 Crafting Internal Journeys: The Art of Emotional Storytelling47:03 The Nuances of Writing Sex: Character and Vulnerability50:37 The Art of Storytelling and Twists53:15 The Craft of Writing: Challenges and Joys55:50 Finding the Right Editor: A Personal Journey59:29 The Importance of Human Touch in Editing01:00:00 The Co-Writing Experience: Collaboration and Discovery01:05:15 Writing Queer Stories: A Personal and Community Choice01:09:02 The Power of Storytelling in Understanding Identity01:11:24 The Evolution of Mobile Phones01:12:47 Reflections on the Future01:13:14 Ice Queens vs. Cinnamon Rolls01:19:10 Understanding Character Archetypes01:22:29 Closing Thoughts You can find JJ on Instagram, and don’t forget to check out Yappin’!

    Makin' Stuff with JJ Arias

  3. Jun 11

    Makin' Stuff with Ana Hartnett

    In this, our first episode, Ana Hartnett shares her journey from hating writing to becoming my favorite romance novelist. She discusses the intersection of creativity and anxiety, the importance of community building, and how now, more than ever, authentic queer representation matters. She also talks about starting her first wine label, Family Room Wine, and how she wants to use it as a platform for helping lift up other small queer-owned businesses.  Ana lets us into her writing process, showing us how her unique approach creates intimate, authentic stories that will leave you hopeful and less alone.  I also pick a fight with her. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did. Chapters 00:00 - Welcome and Introducing Ana Hartnett03:09 - How Ana Realized She was an Artist11:23 - The Relationship Between Anxiety and Creativity14:45 - Being a Writer v. Being an Author and How to be Both17:12 - Ana's Writing Practice24:01 - How Ana Understands Inspiration27:35 - How Ana Knows When a Story is Ready to be Told31:35 - Why Ana Wanted to Start Family Room Wine35:29 - Why Having an Explicitly Queer Brand as a Writer and Winemaker Matters37:51 - The Importance of Representation39:50 - Talking About Ana's New Book46:06 - The Romance of Friendship52:30 - Real, Messy People are Likable People54:43 - Ana's Mom is Her (*second*) Biggest Fan59:40 - I Pick a Fight With Ana Links Find Ana on Instagram, Threads, and her website Check out Family Room Wine

    Makin' Stuff with Ana Hartnett
  • 3 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

A Podcast about craft, creativity, and why making queer art matters

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