Writing Rural With Alley
“Writing Rural With Alley” helps fiction writers bring rural lifestyles to life! Here you will learn to craft more realistic scenes and settings of rural life and lifestyles, new ways to show, not tell, helping to drive your story forward, discover obstacles and challenges for your characters to overcome. You’ll learn skills and techniques from the stone age to post-apocalyptic, including but not limited to, homesteading, living off the grid, bushcrafting, survival skills and more. And of course, we’ll explore all the ways things could possibly go wrong in your story.
Episodes
117 episodes
Historical Brickmaking Facts Every Writer Should Know
What fireproof building material has been used since roughly 7500 BC? What challenges might your character face when learning to make bricks? Could these ancient skills prove useful in the zombie apocalypse? Will I throw a brick at a zombie? Fi...
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8:23
5 Alternative Lighting Sources For Your Story
Do you need alternative lighting in your story? So you know what lighting is pipped into homes? Do you know what could go wrong? Find out on this episode!
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6:59
5 Animals That Feed Characters & Elevate Stories
Fiction thrives on the gritty details—and when your story hinges on survival or rural living, it’s not just meat on the table that matters. In this episode, we explore the top five animals—cows, pigs, rabbits, chickens, and bees—that d...
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19:59
The Pros Of Off-The-Grid Living Every Fiction Writer Should Know
What if your next character didn’t just "survive" off-grid—they thrived? In this episode, we explore the real-life benefits of off-grid living that can infuse your fiction with depth and realism. From your characters growing their own food to e...
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14:23
More Downsides Of Living Off-The-Grid Every Writer Should Know
The Harsh Realities of Off-Grid Living: A Fiction Writer’s GuideLiving off the grid sounds like the ultimate freedom—no utility bills, no nosy neighbors—but reality paints a different picture. In this episode, we’re exposing the h...
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14:19
The Downside Of Living Off-The-Grid Every Writer Should Know
Romanticized visions of off-grid living often overlook the brutal hardships—hauling water for miles, battling extreme temperatures without modern climate control, and surviving isolation when medical help is hours away.In this episode, w...
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17:14
Show Don't Tell: Carbon Dioxide Poisoning
Silent, odorless, and deadly—carbon dioxide poisoning is an often-overlooked but chilling threat in fiction. Whether you're crafting suspenseful mysteries, survival thrillers, hard-hitting sci-fi, or anything else, understanding how CO₂ e...
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18:03
What Every Writer Should Know About The Swedish Fire Torch
Unleash the power of survival lore in your storytelling! Dive into this episode as we explore the Swedish fire torch—a fascinating survival tool that can double as your story's game-changer. Learn how to craft these ingenious log fires, their p...
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13:07
Surprise Your Readers By Seamlessly Incorporating Earthworms Into Your Story
Imagine a creature so unassuming, yet so vital, that its very existence shapes the foundation of life as we know it. I give you the earthworm. Often overlooked and underestimated, these tiny characters in the soil hold immense potential for cap...
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14:08
Ways To Seamlessly Incorporate Animals Into Fiction
Discover how to incorporate animals into your fiction to captivate readers and bring your stories to life. In this episode, I’ll share creative tips on using animals as plot points, comedic relief, and vivid scene enhancers. Whether you’re writ...
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17:21
Show Don't Tell: Dehydration
Ever wondered how dehydration could be the silent antagonist in your story? Dive with us into the depths of dehydration and discover how this often-overlooked condition can dramatically transform your characters and plot. From the initial thirs...
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20:00
Announcement 3-3-25
Announcement 1: I'm taking a two week break. Announcement 2: I have a new YouTube channel of writing prompts that comes out today called, Writing Gone Wrong!
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1:51
5 Well-Intended But Misleading Survival Advice Every Writer Should Know
Welcome to another insightful episode of Writing Rural With Alley! In this episode we uncover common survival tips that could mislead your fictional characters into danger.Join us as we delve into five misguided survival advice:
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12:54
5 Outdated Survival Advice Every Writer Should Know
Are you a fiction writer seeking inspiration for survival scenarios in your stories? Dive into this episode where we debunk long-held beliefs about staying alive. From rubbing hypothermic skin to the misguided use of gunpowder on wounds, we’ll ...
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14:04
5 Survival Tips That Are True & Not True Every Writer Needs To Know
Welcome to another intriguing episode of the Writing Rural With Alley! In this episode, we explore common survival advice that, while often practical, could spell danger for your fictional characters in certain situations.Join us as we e...
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17:27
5 Survival Tips That Will Kill Your Character
Welcome to another thrilling episode of Writing Rural With Alley! In this episode we debunk common survival myths that could spell doom for your fictional characters.Join us as we explore five dangerous survival tips:1. All Berrie...
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15:05
5 Survival Misconceptions Every Writer Should Know
Welcome to another enlightening episode of Writing Rural With Alley! In this episode, we bust common survival myths that could endanger your fictional characters.Join us as we delve into five critical survival misconceptions:1. Ce...
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9:51
5 Survival Myths Every Writer Should Know
Welcome to another captivating episode of Writing Rural With Alley! In this episode, we unravel common survival beliefs that could put your fictional characters in grave danger.Join us as we explore five critical survival myths:1....
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8:47
5 Uncommon Uses For Snow In Fiction
Welcome to another fascinating episode of Writing Rural With Alley! In this episode, we explore some inventive and lesser-known ways snow has been used historically and in modern times.Join us as we uncover five uncommon snow uses:
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10:30
5 Fun & Versatile Uses For Snow Every Writer Should Know
In this episode, we explore the many playful and practical ways snow can enhance your fictional narratives and everyday life.Join us as we delve into five versatile uses of snow:1. Snow Sports - Discover the thrilling world ...
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8:20
Writing Pigs As More Than Bacon
Calling all fiction writers! Dive into the captivating world of pigs and discover how these extraordinary animals can add depth, drama, and intrigue to your stories. In this episode, "Piggytales," we explore the rich history and diverse roles o...
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12:08
5 Snow Uses For Villains & Victims
In this episode, we explore the cunning and deceptive ways snow can be used by both antagonists and protagonists in your stories.Join us as we uncover five clever snow uses:1. Camouflage for People - Discover how snow can be utili...
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11:35