Writer Syndrome

Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney
  • 5.0 (2)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Writer Syndrome is a podcast about writing – from start to finish. Russ and Tim chat about writing and their process as they work towards publishing their first books. Learn with them in this unscripted podcast navigating the absolute sh**show that is writing.

  1. FEB 10

    Short Stories

    Short stories can open many doors for authors, and also be used as a tool to hone storytelling skills and craft. This episode Russ and Tim delve into the power of short stories and all the ways they can help along the author journey.

    36 min

  2. JAN 27

    Villians

    To have a great hero, you need a great villain. In this episode, Russ and Tim dig into what makes an effective antagonist. Whether they’re an equal, an opposite, or a force more powerful than the hero. They dig into why villains get a bad rap, why they deserve as much care as your protagonist, and how to sidestep the tired tropes that flatten them out. If you want your hero to grow, it starts with writing a villain worth facing.

    47 min

  3. JAN 13

    Tropes

    Tropes can be useful building blocks of storytelling. They're familiar patterns that help audiences quickly understand the parts of a story. In this episode, Russ and Tim explore why tropes aren’t inherently bad, how they support story structure, and what actually counts as a trope. From character types to plot beats. The key isn’t avoiding tropes, but using them in smart, fresh ways.

    35 min

  4. 12/31/2025

    2025 Book Swap: Annihilation / Parable of the Sower

    That's a wrap on 2025! In this episode, Russ and Tim close out the year with a book swap discussion of Annihilation (Jeff VanderMeer) and Parable of the Sower (Octavia E. Butler), exploring themes, writing styles, and why these haunting stories feel especially resonant today. Happy New Year!

    44 min

  5. 12/16/2025

    Rediscovering The Path

    A reflective journey about finding your way back to the page after doubt, distraction, or burnout. This episode Russ and Tim talk about what it means to rediscover the path of writing, how creativity drifts and returns, and why the act of writing itself can feel like coming home again.

    32 min

  6. 12/02/2025

    Not Worth The Paper It's Written On

    Who wrote "Not Worth The Paper It's Written On?" Was it film producer Samuel Goldwyn or an Irish Politician who coined this famous idiom? In this episode, Russ and Tim delve into the past to uncover the origins of this well-known phrase and how it went "viral" in the late 1800s, becoming what it is today.

    36 min

  7. 11/18/2025

    Facts In Fiction

    How factual should fiction be? What level of real-world detail is necessary for a story, its plot, and characters to feel authentic? In this episode, Russ and Tim explore the role of facts in fiction, reflect on their own manuscripts, and debate when facts enhance a story and when they get in the way of good storytelling.

    34 min

  8. 11/04/2025

    Foreshadowing

    Foreshadowing is another tool in the writer's toolkit that can enhance a reader's story experience. Early hints that can pay off later to build suspense, tension, and make that climax that much better. This episode, Russ and Tim get into what foreshadowing is, what it isn't, and how they used it in their stories. As a bonus, they work through what exactly Chekov's gun actually is.

    43 min
See All (96)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Writer Syndrome is a podcast about writing – from start to finish. Russ and Tim chat about writing and their process as they work towards publishing their first books. Learn with them in this unscripted podcast navigating the absolute sh**show that is writing.

Information

  • Creator
    Russ Capasso and Tim Letteney
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    96
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Writer Syndrome