In 2006 Peter Watts published Blindsight, a darkly creative and hugely popular sci-fi novel about first contact. We’re reacting to this classic, appreciating its themes, and trying to extract lessons for ourselves as writers. How do you challenge your readers with really creative ideas without losing them? Watts managed it, and we think we know how.

Edited by Cullen McHael

Produced by Cullen McHael

Hosts: Stuart J. Tanner, Cullen McHael

Follow us!

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InkingNeon

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inking-neon-light-up-your-stories/id1838329557

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1qSplbBX4oYmd2pYoSAzOF

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c7826f91-085a-4509-9c69-d90fef1bdb5b/inking-neon-light-up-your-stories

iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-inking-neon-light-up-your-294206954

PodBean: https://inkingneon.podbean.com/

Cullen McHael: https://cullenmchael.com

Stuart J. Tanner: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08XW3G4WG/ https://www.amazon.com.au/Art-of-Story/dp/B08JL6GJBR/

Matt Dinniman’s breakout best seller is certainly popular, but is it good? We explore 7 reasons for its runaway success and try to extract some lessons to apply to our own writing. Jump on the ride and let us know what you think we missed!

The book itself: https://mattdinniman.com/books/dungeon-crawler-carl/

00:00 Introduction to Lit RPG and Its Appeal

04:38 Reason #1: The Vibe of Carl

11:15 Reason #2: Unhinged Chaos

17:38 Reason #3: Keeping Up with the Kardashians

21:25 The Two Kinds of Humor

23:18 Reason 4: Viscera

28:57 Absorb For +1 to Humor. Don't Sell Your Day Job.

37:52 Reason #5: They Call Them "Novels"

45:33 Short Readings

49:23 Reason #6: Can You Go Wrong With a Talking Cat? (Yes)

56:57 Reason 7: The Payoff Paradox

01:00:48 Summary and Final Thoughts

Date Record: Mar 28, 2026

Date Publish: Apr 4, 2026

Edited by Cullen McHael

Produced by Cullen McHael

Hosts: Stuart J. Tanner, Cullen McHael

Follow us!

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InkingNeon

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inking-neon-light-up-your-stories/id1838329557

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1qSplbBX4oYmd2pYoSAzOF

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c7826f91-085a-4509-9c69-d90fef1bdb5b/inking-neon-light-up-your-stories

iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-inking-neon-light-up-your-294206954

PodBean: https://inkingneon.podbean.com/

Cullen McHael: https://cullenmchael.com

Stuart J. Tanner: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08XW3G4WG/ https://www.amazon.com.au/Art-of-Story/dp/B08JL6GJBR/

In episode 7 of Inking Neon we sit down with author J.A. Merkel to discuss sustaining energy in a long running series, and techniques for building emotional realism. J.A. Merkel is the author of The Fall Gauntlet, a gladiatorial science-fantasy series.

Pick up your copy of Bear by J.A. Merkel here: https://store.jamerkel.com/products/the-fall-gauntlet-book-1-bear-ebook

00:00 Introduction to JA Merkel

03:01 Reading from Bear - Book 1 of The Fall Gauntlet

16:59 Short Stories As Strategy for Finding a Market

21:41 Turning a Short Story Into a Series

24:50 Planning for a Long Series

31:35 Merging Old and New: The Deeper Themes of Science-Fantasy

46:40 Writing Emotional Realism

53:34 Game Design Informing Fiction

57:55 Final Thoughts on Writing and Market Awareness

Follow us!

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InkingNeon

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inking-neon-light-up-your-stories/id1838329557

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1qSplbBX4oYmd2pYoSAzOF

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c7826f91-085a-4509-9c69-d90fef1bdb5b/inking-neon-light-up-your-stories

iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-inking-neon-light-up-your-294206954

PodBean: https://inkingneon.podbean.com/

Cullen McHael: https://cullenmchael.com

Stuart J. Tanner: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08XW3G4WG/ https://www.amazon.com.au/Art-of-Story/dp/B08JL6GJBR/

J.A. Merkel: https://jamerkel.com