An Open Dialogue

Halloween may be pared down in 2020, but that doesn't stop us from discussing the things we find scary. To be honest, this episode was more funny than spooky since we couldn't stop making ourselves laugh, but we did manage to get through some of the most popular scary standards in film and pages. We delved into what makes one person scared and another person not, and we took a closer look at how environment and upbringing can shape what scares you.

After years of anticipation, Stephenie Meyer's Midnight Sun has finally been released, and Twilight fans everywhere are weighing in on the novel that gives them Twilight from Edward's point of view. In this week's episodes, Tawdra and Violet discuss their own introduction into the Twilight Universe and their thoughts on Midnight Sun: Edward's angst, the insight into the Cullens (and everyone else) through Edward's mind-reading, and the draw of this series and its impact on the publishing industry.

The sound of crashing waves, the warmth of the sand, the salt in the air--what is it about a trip to the beach that helps us reset, recharge, and relax? Join Tawdra and Violet as they discuss their fondest beach memories, the qualities that make the best beaches for them, the title of most beautiful beach, and the yummiest must-have snacks for a beach day.

When life seems filled with anxiety, fear, and ominous headlines, sometimes we need to take a humorous and light-hearted view of an otherwise dire situation. In this episode, we discuss what we've learned during this global pandemic, what we've missed, and what we wished we knew when it started.

As a career success coach, the host of Quitcast for Writers on YouTube, and author of Dear Writer, You Need to Quit, Becca Syme is an authority on quitting for all the right reasons. This week, we discuss her path to coaching creatives and her best advice for how to find success in the new year by quitting what’s not working for you.

In this week's podcast, authors Tawdra Kandle and Violet Howe discuss the non-fiction books that have had the biggest impact on their lives and discuss their favorite biographies, self-improvement, and career advice books.

Romance author MK Meredith has written the book she wish she'd had when she first received her breast cancer diagnosis. Not Your Usual Boob: The Good, The Bad, & The Wonky of Breast Cancer is a guide for what to expect as you or a loved one navigates the breast cancer diagnosis and treatment journey. But it's much more than that. While chocked full of valuable information, this is not a clinical, non-emotional approach. Instead, it's like having a girlfriend talk through the experience with you--sometimes painful, sometimes humorous, sometimes TMI--but always with the best intention of helping to support you, empower you, and walk with you. In this week's podcast, we discuss MK's medical history, the journey in publishing this book (and getting it advertised) and her best advice for women in advocating for their own health.

Romance author MK Meredith has written the book she wish she'd had when she first received her breast cancer diagnosis. Not Your Usual Boob: The Good, The Bad, & The Wonky of Breast Cancer is a guide for what to expect as you or a loved one navigates the breast cancer diagnosis and treatment journey. But it's much more than that. While chocked full of valuable information, this is not a clinical, non-emotional approach. Instead, it's like having a girlfriend talk through the experience with you--sometimes painful, sometimes humorous, sometimes TMI--but always with the best intention of helping to support you, empower you, and walk with you. In this week's podcast, we discuss MK's medical history, the journey in publishing this book (and getting it advertised), and her best advice for women in advocating for their own health.

When is the last time you visited a library? In addition to being a great place to find books, libraries offer a wealth of reference materials and ways to connect with the community. Most these days feature computer stations for internet access, many have DVDS and CDS for check-out, and several host author-reader events where you can find a new read or meet a favorite writer. Did you know libraries also offer e-books you can get without ever having to leave your house? This week, we discuss the many benefits and features of local libraries, as well as reminiscence about our own fond library memories. Check it out! (Ha-see what we did there?)

Funerals are a somewhat creepy but important part of life. Since Tawdra and Violet both recently said goodbye to family members, it seemed a good time to examine the various rituals and customs associated with these common but never ordinary social occasions. With equal parts humor and respect, they discuss the more bizarre aspects of funerals, as well as the importance of remembrance, grieving, saying goodbye, and connecting with family.

What is it that makes small towns such perfect backdrops for romance? In this week's episode, Tawdra and Violet explore their own small town backgrounds as they discuss the benefits and pitfalls of living in a place where everyone knows your name. Then, they reveal how those experiences have shaped the different book series each of them have created set in small towns.

As people who remember the 80s fondly from our youth, we're enjoying the trip down memory lane that Stranger Things provides. In this week's podcast, we discuss the explosive popularity of the show, its appeal to our age group (and others), and the enduring charm of the 80s, which seems in some ways more innocent than today and in others, more deadly.

We love the rom-com film genre. We can watch our favorites over and over again. But sometimes when we watch an old favorite, we realize that it hasn't held up while over time. Things that were perfectly acceptable way back then can be uncomfortable or cringeworthy in today's world. It's also impossible to ignore that the happily-ever-after we're rooting for often sends unhealthy and/or unrealistic messages about love and romance. But does it matter? After all, it's fiction. It's supposed to be an escape from reality. So should we care if rom-coms might not be politically correct or may portray relationships that aren't healthy or have a low chance of success? Hear our thoughts and let us know yours!

What is the draw that keeps the Beatles so popular long after they disbanded and stopped making music together? In honor of Global Beatles Day (and the upcoming release of a new film featuring their music), we discuss the Beatles--which one is our favorite, which songs we especially enjoy, which of us really isn't that much of a fan, and our take on their enduring impact on the music industry as a whole.

Join us as we interview special guest Cate Kandle, a recent graduate of Unity College, America's Environmental College. Learn more about Cate's degree in Sustainable Agriculture, and the educational journey that inspired Tawdra Kandle's character careers in the Anti-Cinderella trilogy. We also discuss attitudes toward sustainability, as well as Cate's real-life, practical suggestions for changes we can implement to make a difference for our environment.

We asked our readers to submit questions for us to answer---anything they wanted to ask! And they delivered! This week, we embark upon the question list with not-so-rapid answers. It turns out neither Tawdra nor Violet is good at just giving an answer without a lengthy explanation of WHY that's the answer. But it's all in good fun, and we learned some things about each other!

After nearly a month away from the podcast, we are back! We have an update on our activities while we were on hiatus--including family trips and new releases, and we also discuss our upcoming plans for the summer. Find out where you can find us for book events, and which stories will be coming soon.

What are the books you can read over and over again? What book spoke to you and gave you a message that stuck with you long after you read it? This week, we discuss the nonfiction and fiction books that have inspired us at different times of our lives--childhood, teenager, and the various stages of adulthood.

Some days it's easier than others to be thankful. But does making an effort to have gratitude make you appreciate the people and things around you more? This week, we talk about cultivating an attitude of gratitude and what works (and doesn't work) for putting us in a thankful state of mind.

Is it possible to be nice AND be a badass? It turns out, it is! This week, our guest is Lady Fury, a roller derby phenom and personal trainer who is well on her way to mastering being a badass while at the same time being a thoughtful, considerate, nice human. Fury reveals a few practical tips she employs to keep herself from falling into traps of guilt and insecurities, as well as her path to being empowered to be a badass. Join us for a funny and insightful interview with a very large personality!

Are you part of a fanatic fandom that follows one of the mega-hits in books, television, or movies? Or do you get sick of seeing uber-enthusiastic fans fill your social media feeds with things you have no interest in? This week, we discuss many of the mega-fandoms and whether their followings come from a genuine interest in the material or a need to belong and know what's going on. Is it pop culture or great stories that make people tune in for more, share memes and quizzes, and dress up as their favorite characters?

We are both Marvel fans, and this week we discuss the latest MCU release, Captain Marvel. We dish on Brie Larson's acting chops, what we liked about the movie, the theme of friendship and female empowerment, and the firsts this film can claim. We also talk about superheroes in general--why we love them, and how we see their qualities in ordinary humans every day if we look hard enough.

One of us loves to cook and thinks recipes are loose guidelines. The other loathes cooking and is somewhat obsessive about exact measurements. This week, we discuss who does the cooking and what they get out of it. Does the job usually fall onto the person who enjoys it the most? Or is gender a factor? And how do social bonding and pop culture affect our views of cooking?

How do authors come up with their story ideas? This week, we discuss the various places we find sparks, and the many ways those sparks change as they morph into full-blown novels. We explain the inspiration behind our existing series, and we also give a sneak peek into some ideas we have brewing for future books!

Famous friendships (like Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox) fascinate us, as do the ones we read about in novels and watch on film and TV. But what takes friendship to that deeper level? What makes a relationship go from acquaintance to ride-or-die squad member? This week, we discuss the different friendships we have as stages of life progress, and the things that end friendships, change them, or make them stick like glue. Join us to find out our friendship goals and what we think are qualities all of us want in our friends.

Book Piracy is rampant in this digital age. But many readers are not aware that they're engaging in piracy, and some see nothing wrong with downloading free books from piracy sites . This week, we discuss what piracy is, why people engage in it, why it's wrong, and what steps you can take to get free or discounted books while ensuring you're not being a pirate!

The internet is ablaze with Marie Kondo's system of tidying called KonMari. Some have become devotees of the system and cleaned out their entire household, much to the benefit of thrift shops everywhere. But others criticize her method, and some even find it offensive. In this week's episode, we discuss the parts of KonMari that we think work best and the overall concept of things sparking "joy".

Why are we Americans so fascinated with British royalty? Is it because we don't have our own princes and princesses, or is it because Queen Elizabeth II and her descendants have done an amazing job of staying relevant and keeping our attention? Diana, Princess of Wales, was a big influence on both of us in our youth, and Tawdra even studied the history of the British and their royal lineage in college. Now, she's turned her lifelong obsession into a series of books that explores the complexities of falling in love with a modern-day prince, even as a similar story plays out in the real-life headlines.

In honor of Valentine's week, Violet and Tawdra turn to their romance readers to answer the question--What is Romance? They find that the grand, over-the-top gestures and expensive gifts might be nice, but it's moments of connection and thoughtfulness that often mean the most when it comes to romance. And fair warning: you'll never look at your crock pot or microwave the same way again after listening to this episode!

How do you give up sugar, refined carbs, and Diet Coke when you don't want to give any of that up? The Wilder Way! This week, we discuss Jasinda's Wilder bestselling book You Can Do It, which outlines her years of research on health issues and dieting and lays out a plan to detox from sugar, refined carbs, and chemical-laden foods. Join Tawdra and Violet as we discuss our experiences with the plan, and our effort to recommit and reboot with the Wilder Way.

Having friends and family come over can be great for bonding and connecting, but the stress that comes with cleaning and preparation for a gathering can be overwhelming. This week, we discuss the concept of Scruffy Hospitality mentioned by Robin Shreeves in her blog. What can you let go of in order to embrace having visitors in your home and actually enjoy them being there? Do your visitors need an immaculate house to have a good time?

In this week's episode, we discuss some of the great literary scandals and the plethora of cases involving artists whose real lives are more dramatic than their work. Do writers create drama in their lives because of their creative minds, or do people who live surrounded by drama turn to fantasy to cope? (Or both?) And why do we hold fiction to a higher standard of plausibility than real life? We would never allow characters to get away with the dumb choices real people make every day.

Recent court cases in Europe and the US have highlighted some of the issues that arise when portraying (or alluding to) real-life figures in fictional creations. When does someone's right to create original works infringe upon someone else's right to control their public image and persona? If it's fiction, is anyone open game to portrayed in any manner the artist chooses? How does that apply when the "art form" is digital porn? And where is the line drawn with biopics, docudramas, and autobiographical material?

The Golden Globes kicked off the 2019 awards season with a few surprises, a couple of snubs, and as usual, controversy. In this week's episode, we discuss the appeal (or not) of awards shows, the frontrunners in movies and television this year, the subjectiveness of the process, and Violet's predictions for the upcoming Academy Awards.

We're kicking off the new year with talk about new beginnings, resolutions (and how they don't work for at least one of us), and a renewed effort for eating and living healthier. Take a listen and find out which new lifestyle plan we are going with next month, and join us with your own health commitment!

We all know what we're supposed to feel during the holiday season. We've seen the soft focus holiday movies that all end with everyone happy and festive. But in reality, it's not always easy to sing fa-la-la and be merry. The stress and demands of the holiday season can take their toll. Join us as we search for ways to find the holly jolly this season.

The holidays shine a spotlight on some of the difficulties and joys of parenting adult children--the changing dynamics of sibling interactions, the push and pull of split households and/or in-laws, and the less exciting but perhaps more meaningful gift giving. We also discuss the need for respect from both sides as parents walk the tightrope of knowing when to back off yet still be an active parent.

Social media commenters are quick to react to anything they disagree with. Unfortunately, they don't always do their research or gather facts before forming opinions. We discuss the reactions to recent scandals in the publishing world, as well as across the board in today's society. What will the long-term effects be on the new generations coming up in this time of constant attacks from those hiding behind the anonymity of the keyboard? To prevent getting sucked into the mob mentality, we encourage the use of 3 R's--do your Research, take time to Respond instead of reacting, and always use Respect.

As Violet celebrates 50, she and Tawdra discuss the changing views on aging in today's society, and the persistent ways that women are held hostage by age. We cover the gamet, from fashion to movies to skincare and sex. Because yes, women in their 50s still have great sex! (and we write books about them!)

This episode is almost guaranteed to cause food cravings. We discuss our own Thanksgiving traditions and the differences in menus based on geographic regions, but we also talk about the season of gratefulness and the encroachment of shopping into family time.

It makes sense that taking care of ourselves would leave us better equipped to take care of others. So why do we struggle with it? Why is it so hard to set aside time for ourselves and minister to our own needs? During the upcoming holiday season, self-care is even more important to prevent burn-out, frustration, and depression. We discuss some helpful tips and our own struggles with taking care of us.

What is the definition of a "strong woman", and why does it often correlate with being a bitch? Is there only one way to be strong, and does it have to be negative? This week, we discuss the many ways women exhibit strength, the importance of strong women in literature and film, and the women we admire in our lives.

Join us as we discuss the enduring appeal of Halloween: its origins, our own childhood memories of the holiday, the ways we've incorporated it into our children's lives, and what we've noticed about the ever-changing celebration of Halloween in our modern-day society.

As Twilight returns to movie theaters to celebrate its 10th anniversary, we discuss the appeal of the series, the impact it had on our own lives and on the romance industry, and the lasting legacy of the phenomenon. Were you Team Edward or Team Jacob? Or did you just not care?

October is the month that we put our fears on display and celebrate them. But where do our fears come from? Are they innate or created by our experiences? Why do some people get a thrill out of what others avoid at all costs? Join us as we reveal our own phobias and fears and ponder their causes.

Our society seems to be obsessed with weddings. Books, movies, and television shows all entertain us with tales of brides & grooms. Weddings continue to be one of the hottest industries, and though traditions and trends might change with the times, the popularity of weddings and the desire to be a part of them remains. Join Tawdra & Violet as they discuss our attraction to weddings and the changing dynamics of modern-day nuptials.

Join us as we discuss the intrigue of the paranormal, the mystic draw of thin places, and the many ways faith and tradition factor into our reaction to the spiritual world.

Join us to chat about the allure of planning a vacation, the pitfalls of picky eating in other cultures, and the trips we'd like to take for our future book ideas.

Authors ride a fine line between policing their characters and allowing their characters to be themselves. But are there hard lines that a hero or heroine just can't cross? And when does an author have to ignore their own morals and ethics to allow the character to tell the true story?

Join us for a chat between friends on topics ranging from how the perception of time changes as people age, to the shifting identities of mothers as their children age, and finally to our lifelong love of music, including our shared passion for the band Blue October.

Author Violet Howe and aspiring art historian Caitlin Barnabee discuss the importance of art in culture, the value of art within our society, the effects of the digital age on art mediums, and what future historians might find lacking about our modern-day life.

Learn more about the nation's oldest wish-granting organization. Why they focus on the cases other organizations turn away, the impact of granting a wish for the entire family, and the importance of keeping the expenses down so the donations are spent on the kids.

Join authors Violet Howe and TM Cromer as they discuss books and plays turned into movies and television shows and debate whether or not the book is always better. Find out their favorites (and not so favorites)!

Authors Violet Howe and Elicia Hyder send well-wishes to Tawdra Kandle as they discuss Elicia's roller derby past and their upcoming author cruise as well as karaoke, laser tag, escape rooms, closet-size bookstores, and margaritas with strangers.

Why should authors and readers attend book events? Tawdra and Violet discuss their experiences and explain why they are so passionate about Indie BookFest Orlando.

Authors Tawdra Kandle and Violet Howe introduce themselves and their podcast as they explain why on earth they would be crazy enough to add a podcast to their whirlwind schedules.