The Write Note

J Ryan Fenzel
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You don’t have to be an author to enjoy the entertaining and informative discussions on THE WRITE NOTE. Through tips, tricks, picks, reviews, and recommendations we explore all aspects of writing, storytelling, and the written word’s impact on pop culture. Hosted by indie authors J Ryan Fenzel and Keira F Jacobs, THE WRITE NOTE delivers a wide-ranging slate of writing topics and author conversations, all enhanced by the father/daughter, GenX/GenZ, male/female, seasoned/newbie perspectives of the hosts. The Write Note drops new episodes on the first Wednesday of each month.

  1. 12/03/2025

    Lyrically Speaking, Vol. 6: Yuletide Traditions

    It's our annual Christmas Special! Join us as we unwrap a Yuletide edition of our Lyrically Speaking series to discuss the lyrics of classic Christmas songs and the stories behind the music. Highlights: 01:38   What is the oldest Christmas Song? 05:35   Character is King: Yuletide Tradition Edition 11:40   Somewhere in My Memory 16:09   The Man with the Bag 21:04   ‘Zat You, Santa Claus? 25:14   The Snow Miser/Heat Miser Song 31:53   The Christmas Song 36:49  Underneath the Tree

    41 min

  2. 11/05/2025

    Anatomy of the Short Story

    In this episode we examine the key elements that make up a great short story, and we share a collection of classic tales to illustrate the power of the format. Episode Highlights: 01:30  What a short story does best 03:27  Character is King: Short Story Edition 10:08  Six key literary elements of the short story 17:44  A training ground for the writer’s “long game” 22:10  Story Example 1: A Good Man is Hard to Find 26:45  Story Example 2: Trace 30:07  Story Example 3: The Telltale Heart 33:10  Story Example 4: The Star 35:40  Story Example 5: A Rose for Emily 40:20  Story Example 6: The Open Window

    46 min

  3. 10/01/2025

    Conspiracies of Literature & Film

    In this episode we expose weird and whacky conspiracy theories from the literary, film, and music worlds and reveal the secrets “they” don’t want you to know. Episode Highlights: 02:55   “Paul is Dead” catches fire 06:47   Character is King: Conspiratorial Edition 12:45   Theory 1 - She doesn’t exist 15:12   Theory 2 - Witches Boo 18:10   Theory 3 - It’s not her, it’s him 21:26   Theory 4 - Who’s your daddy? 24:40   Theory 5 – Lennon and the King 28:18   Theory 6 – Back to the North Pole

    34 min

  4. 09/03/2025

    More Idioms, More Origins

    In this episode we present a new collection of classic idioms and share the histories and origins that made them timeless expressions of speech. Episode highlights: 03:00              Coffee badging and three sheets 06:15               Character is King: Idiomatic Expression Edition 12:03               A very southern idiom 14:40               Lost in translation 17:19               Born of a Scottish proverb 21:00               Benson Boone and Rick Springfield 23:25              The Thatched Roof Theory 26:20              Novel uses of a bullet 29:06              Honorable Mentions

    34 min

  5. 08/06/2025

    Beach Read Blueprint

    In this episode we break down the elements and genres that make up a great beach read novel, and we share our Top 5 list of titles that pair perfect with sun and sand. Episode highlights: 01:40               Choose your Beach Read wisely 02:10               Character is King: Beach Edition 11:14               The Blueprint: 6 Key Elements & 3 Prime Genres 16:07               Top 5 List of Great Beach Read Novels 22:12               The 48-hour book 26:57              A prime beach read

    29 min

  6. 07/02/2025

    Talkin' Taglines

    In this episode we take a close look at taglines. From big business to blockbusters to books we discuss how these brief blurbs of exposition just might be the most valuable marketing tool ever devised and share key tips to on how to craft an effective tagline for your novel. Episode highlights: 02:08             What is a tagline? 04:25             Novel examples 08:55             The key to writing a tagline for a book 12:40              Character is King: Tagline Edition 17:16               Tagline Tag 21:05              Early morning aliens

    26 min

  7. 04/30/2025

    Lyrically Speaking, Vol. 5: The Musical

    In this episode we roll out Volume 5 of our Lyrically Speaking series and celebrate the musical. Join us as we explore the lyrics of classic showtunes from Broadway and beyond in this fun retrospective. Episode highlights: 02:56              What makes a musical? 07:22               Character is King: The Musical Edition 14:52               Brown paper packages 19:05               The greatest negotiation 23:38               Sit down! 30:49               Minutes turn to hours 35:35               Tell me more 41:20               Three meals a day

    47 min

  8. 04/09/2025

    Chasing MacGuffins with The Write Note

    In this episode we examine the MacGuffin, its history, popularization, and use in modern storytelling. We also share our Top 5 list of all-time great MacGuffins. Episode highlights: 01:29               What is a MacGuffin? 08:27              Character is King: MacGuffin Edition 13:15               The Top 5 list of all-time great cinema MacGuffins 14:39               I know something you don’t 18:09               It’s all in the plans 21:00               To infinity… 23:50              The stuff that dreams are made of 26:00              Like an addiction

    31 min
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About

You don’t have to be an author to enjoy the entertaining and informative discussions on THE WRITE NOTE. Through tips, tricks, picks, reviews, and recommendations we explore all aspects of writing, storytelling, and the written word’s impact on pop culture. Hosted by indie authors J Ryan Fenzel and Keira F Jacobs, THE WRITE NOTE delivers a wide-ranging slate of writing topics and author conversations, all enhanced by the father/daughter, GenX/GenZ, male/female, seasoned/newbie perspectives of the hosts. The Write Note drops new episodes on the first Wednesday of each month.

Information

  • Creator
    J Ryan Fenzel
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 J Ryan Fenzel
  • Show Website
    The Write Note