In this episode of The Rough Draft: A Writing Podcast, Kelly and Loyd chat with noted freelance journalist Liz Garone. Liz contributes regularly to The Wall Street Journal, Time, The Washington Post, and other prominent news outlets, and shares her journey to becoming an in-demand, full-time freelance writer. Also, Kelly laments the loss of literary references in regular language and Loyd takes aim at the word “sadly.”

Kelly Recommendation

The Forever War, by Joe Haldeman

Loyd’s Recommendation:

No Way To Treat A First Lady, by Christopher Buckley

On this episode of The Rough Draft, Kelly and Loyd discuss the state of print publishing, especially magazines. Slick magazines hold a special place in their hearts, and even though the zine biz has taken it on the chin in recent years, they are happy to report that magazines — printed on actual paper — appear to be making a comeback.

Also, in the Wordplay segment, Kelly discusses the various forms of the Latin root “locutio” and Loyd shares his appreciation of a-guy-walks-into-a-bar jokes. (Note from Loyd: If you have a good bar joke, send it to me at theroughdraftthewritingpodcast@gmail.com, the longest email address on earth).

Kelly’s Book Recommendation

The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration, by Isabel Wilkerson

Loyd’s Book Recommendation

Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, by Michael Lewis

On this episode of The Rough Draft, Kelly and Loyd are joined by Doug Segrest. A longtime sports writer, Segrest is also a novelist and playwright with one book and three produced plays under hit belt. A native of Montgomery, Alabama, and a graduate of the University of Alabama, he spent 30 years as a newspaper reporter in Nashville and Birmingham before moving to the corporate world. He was recently named one of 50 Alabama Sports Writers Associations Legends, and he continues to cover sports as a co-host of "The Zone" Sunday nights on ABC 33/40 and through instant impact columns in the Anniston Star, Decatur Daily and Florence Times-Daily.

In the Wordplay Segment, Kelly sets us straight on the word "traipse" while Loyd takes exception with Oxford Dictionary and proves to be one heck of a blithering sports writer. Lastly, Loyd takes a moment to highlight the work of author Nelson DeMille who passed away on September 17 at the age of 81.

Kelly's Recommendation:

The Island of Sea Women, by Lisa Sea

Loyd’s Recommendations:

Plum Island and The Gold Coast, by Nelson DeMille

On this episode of The Rough Draft, Kelly and Loyd spend some time - a little too much time, actually - each talking about one of their favorite writers. Kelly chooses her favorite author Jane Austen and Loyd returns to familiar territory, George Plimpton. Also, Loyd and Kelly discuss the importance of forming relationships with sources in their journalism work, and they discuss possible reasons why the word “kibosh” was edited from one of Loyd’s recent high school football game stories. We do our best not to cause a kerfuffle, too.

Where to find your hosts' work

Kelly's Broadway World Profile

Loyd's Website

Contact Loyd & Kelly

Email us!

The Rough Draft Podcast Website

On this episode of The Rough Draft, Kelly and Loyd discuss some of their favorite books that have been adapted into movies. Kelly chooses Killers Of The Flower Moon by David Grann and the classic Harper Lee novel To Kill A Mockingbird. Loyd selects Up In The Air by Walter Kirn and perhaps the first realistic novel exposing professional football, North Dallas 40 by Peter Gent. Also, in the Word Play segment, Kelly takes issue with the word “basically” and Loyd suggests it’s time to retire to the acronym G.O.A.T.

Loyd’s Recommendation: Blood Will Out by Walter Kirn

Kelly’s Recommendation: The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin

On this episode of The Rough Draft, we actually have a guest! Kelly and Loyd spend some time with Micah Kolding, a self-published author and wearer of many hats, including ranch hand, lab assistant, cartoonist, marketing intern, and English teacher in South Korea. Here he talks about his self-publishing journey, his influences, and his writing process.

Also, Kelly springs a timed word game on the spot and Loyd fails miserably and, as usual, the hosts discuss books they're reading, and assignments they're working on, and offer their reading recommendations.

Recommendations

Kelly - A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II, by Sonia Purnell

Loyd - Greatest Boxing Stories Ever Told: Thirty-Six Incredible Tales From The Ring, edited by Jeff Silverman.

In this episode of The Rough Draft, Kelly and Loyd discuss ways our education system can improve writing instruction, Kelly sets us straight on the difference between the words “adverse” and “averse” and Loyd makes a case for reintroducing “groovy” into everyday language.

Also, Kelly, a theatre reviewer for Broadway World, talks about the WORST play she’s ever reviewed!

Kelly's Recommendation: Burn Book: A Tech Love Story, by Kara Swisher.

In the second installment of The Rough Draft, Kelly and Loyd discuss their Top 10 tips for new writers. Also, Kelly literally has a problem with the incorrect use of the word “literally,” Loyd believes it’s time to retire the phrase “the {fill in the blank} community,” and Kelly opines on why George Plimpton is Mr. Rogers for adults. Trust us, this is a humdinger of a show!

Kelly’s Book Recommendation: Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth by Natalie Haynes.

Loyd’s Book Recommendation: The Man in the Flying Lawn Chair: And Other Excursions and Observations.