Fictional Problems

In this episode of Fictional Problems, hosts Gary J. Martin and A.R. McNevin break down what makes a scene work: action, dialogue and narrative. They debate whether scenes need a three‑act microstructure, when to cut or keep 'vegetable' scenes, and how scenes connect and pay off across a story.
Using examples from film and TV  and literature, they explore pacing, subtext, exposition, and the eternal argument over dialogue tags like "said" versus more expressive verbs.
Practical, opinionated, and often funny, the conversation offers writers a loose toolkit for thinking about scenes as the building blocks of a story and how to shape them to serve character, plot, and reader experience.
#scene #dialogue #actionwriting #newpodcastepisode #fantasy #irishauthor #sciencefiction #podcastshow
 

This is Fictional Problems, the podcast where we discuss all things writing, in association with Speculative Fiction Ireland. Hosts Gary J. Martin and A.R. McNell tackle editing — the brutal and beautiful process of turning first drafts into something worth sharing.They cover types of edits (story, line and copy), finishing the draft, killing darlings, editing strategies for long-form and series work, and the special challenges of techniques like time travel. Practical tips include listening to your manuscript aloud and using editing as fuel for the next draft.Join them for candid, often funny conversations about the emotional work of editing and how to get your writing ready for readers.

Hosts Gary J. Martin and A.R. McNevin examine the rise of AI and large language models in writing, exploring how these systems are trained and what they mean for creativity and the publishing industry.
Using the Sam Blake case of allegedly AI-generated books posted under an author’s name as a starting point, they discuss legal and ethical questions, Amazon’s response, the limits of AI in producing genuine long-form fiction, and how writers and readers may adapt.

Welcome to Fictional Problems with Gary J. Martin and Alan McNevin. In this episode, we explore the dynamic between heroes and villains, why each needs the other, and how archetypes can be evolved or subverted to create tension and emotional impact.
 
We discuss classic and modern hero and villain types, anti-heroes and redemption arcs, the importance of sympathetic antagonists, and practical tips for writers on crafting complex, compelling characters.

Season 2 of Fictional Problems dives into time travel as a storytelling device: the three core types (predestination, plastic/malleable timelines, and multiverse), classic examples like Back to the Future and The Terminator, and why many time-travel plots fail.The hosts discuss practical writing advice—how time travel moves information through a narrative, the ripple effects on characters and setting, and why keeping the device in service of character and consequence makes stories stronger.

This is Fictional Problems, the podcast where we discuss all things writing, in association with Speculative Fiction Ireland. On today's episode, we explore writing groups — in-person and online — looking at the social benefits, the creative support they can bring, and the common problems like comparison, performative feedback, and imbalanced group dynamics.Gary J. Martin and Alan McNevin share personal experiences, practical observations, and closing thoughts on how to use writing groups for encouragement without letting them define your writing path. Join us for a frank, friendly conversation about finding the right community for your work.

Welcome to Fictional Problems, the Speculative Fiction Ireland podcast. In this episode Gary J. Martin and A.R. McNevin debate who writers actually write for—themselves, specific audiences, critics, or idealized "phenotypes." They discuss using personal experiences, emotional motivations, plot logic, and the influence of reviewers when crafting characters and stories.From writing as therapy to the fuel of rejection and the trade-offs between traditional and self-publishing, the hosts explore how motivations shape storytelling and what readers expect from plot, character realism, and narrative surprises.

This episode of Fictional Problems (with Gary J. Martin and A.R. McNevin) examines nostalgia in storytelling and why audiences often prefer worlds that feel constant — from Middle Earth to Star Trek. The hosts discuss how stagnant or slowly changing universes shape fan comfort, worldbuilding, and storytelling choices.
Using examples like Lord of the Rings, Star Trek (including Enterprise and DS9), Rings of Power and other nostalgic media, they explore the creative trade‑offs between historical gravitas, authenticity, and audience expectations.

This is Fictional Problems, the podcast where we discuss all things writing, in association with Speculative Fiction Ireland. Join hosts Gary J. Martin and A.R. McNevin as they return to tackle more fictional problems.
In this episode we discuss plagiarism in movie and TV adaptations of literary works—focusing on Isaac Asimov's Foundation and Andrzej Sapkowski's The Witcher—and debate the importance of respecting the source material when creating adaptations. Join us.

Hosts Gary J. Martin and A.R. McNevin explore how personal philosophies, morals, and ethics shape the stories writers tell. They discuss moral complexity in fantasy, the tension between individual and group identity, and how authors hope their work affects readers.
The episode covers examples from Tolkien to role-playing, the power of found family, fame and remembrance, and whether fiction can leave the world a little better than it was found. It balances entertainment with the idea that stories can prompt reflection and change.
Join the conversation and listen as the hosts unpack how real-world influences and personal values filter into character choices, plot design, and the themes writers choose to emphasise.