The Moko Expedition

Inspirations! What set us on the path of writing at an early age, what drove us to keep going, and what helps us grow today. We’re sharing the stories that got us excited to tell tales of our own! Here’s some of the things we mention: EARLY INSPIRATIONS – The original Dragonlance Chronicles Trilogy by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis – Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville – ElfQuest by Wendy & Richard Pini – Unified World Saga by Diann Thornley – Goosebumps by R.L. Stine – Pit Dragon Chronicles by Jane Yolen – Isaac Asimov’s work – The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon WHAT DROVE US TO BE BETTER – (Reverse inspiration) Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake series – Legend of the Five Rings (L5R) – Lucifer by Mike Carey – Tracy Butler – Finder by Carla Speed McNeil – Demonology 101 by Faith Erin Hicks – […]

Pixar’s 9th rule: When you’re stuck, make a list of what WOULDN’T happen next. Lots of times the material to get you unstuck will show up. This rule gave us a lot of trouble, so we decided to mix up our approach…much like the rule recommends! Instead of trying to come up with examples from existing stories, we did an activity that would force us to apply the rule to a story concept of our own. Please share your experiences with us! You can always comment on the Moko Press site, or email us at info@mokopress.com! BECOME A PATRON We’re $10 away from our first Phantom Goal on Patreon! If you like the work we do, consider becoming a Patron at www.Patreon.com/MokoPress! OUR PROJECTS Find more of Matt’s work at Border, KS! http://www.Border-KS.com Read Robin’s story at http://LeyLinesComic.com! Want to hear more? Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes!

IN THIS EPISODE In this Chat episode, we share some of our writing habits – good and bad – that we’re trying to cultivate or crush. What are your habits, and how are you working on them? Please share your experiences with us! You can always comment on the Moko Press site, or email us at info@mokopress.com! BECOME A PATRON We’re $10 away from our first Phantom Goal on Patreon! If you like the work we do, consider becoming a Patron at www.Patreon.com/MokoPress! OUR PROJECTS Find more of Matt’s work at Border, KS! http://www.Border-KS.com Read Robin’s story at http://LeyLinesComic.com! Want to hear more? Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes!

PIXAR’S RULE #8: Finish your story, let go even if it’s not perfect. In an ideal world you have both, but move on. Do better next time. Things Mentioned: – Faith Erin Hicks & her various works: http://www.faitherinhicks.com/ – Lost The Musical: http://lostthemusical.com/ – Shortpacked! by David Willis: http://www.shortpacked.com/ – Evan Dahm’s various comics: http://www.rice-boy.com/ We’ve overhauled our Patreon page, adding 7 new reward levels! Please check those out and if you like the work we do, consider becoming a Patron at www.Patreon.com/MokoPress! Find more of Matt’s work at Border, KS! http://www.Border-KS.com Read Robin’s story at http://LeyLinesComic.com! Please share your experiences with us! You can always comment on the Moko Press site, or email us at info@mokopress.com! Want to hear more? Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes!

In this episode, what starts out as a discussion on how to create believable “one-shot” characters (characters that have a speaking role, but are only intended to appear in a story for a short time) transitions into a talk about how to handle criticism. Something that Robin very much struggles to do. In inspirations today… A special thanks to Jen of Lasalle’s Legacy (http://www.lasalleslegacy.com) for sharing such an inspiring speech with us. You can read Gene Luen Yang’s speech here: http://weneeddiversebooks.tumblr.com/post/96407541562/read-this-gene-luen-yangs-rousing-comics-speech Find more of Matt’s work at Border, KS! http://www.Border-KS.com Read Robin’s story at http://LeyLinesComic.com! Please share your experiences with us! You can always comment on the Moko Press site, or email us at info@mokopress.com! Want to hear more? Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes!

Pixar’s #7 Rule of Storytelling: Come up with your ending before you figure out your middle. Seriously. Endings are hard, get yours working up front. Also, we discuss the News about Anita Sarkeesian and both the optimistic and pessimistic sides of the misogynistic reactions her work has sparked. And then, there’s ninjas and giant robots. Naturally. Find more of Matt’s work at Border, KS! http://www.Border-KS.com Read Robin’s story at http://LeyLinesComic.com! Please share your experiences with us! You can always comment on the Moko Press site, or email us at info@mokopress.com! Want to hear more? Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes!

We take a moment to kick back and get personal this week, talking about some of the unique (and unanticipated) challenges that creative people face posting their work online. Things mentioned in this episode include:  Drezz Rodriguez’s Article on the Webcomic Alliance, “No Comments? No Friends? No Problem!” http://www.webcomicalliance.com/helpful-hints/no-comments-no-friends-no-problem/ Andy Goldman’s “The Only City Left” (Now on Amazon!) http://www.amazon.com/Only-City-Left-1/dp/1500455423/ Surviving Creativity Podcast (also on Patreon): http://www.patreon.com/survivingcreativity John Acuff’s book, “Quitter” : http://www.amazon.com/Quitter-Closing-Between-Your-Dream/dp/0982986270 Paper Wings Podcast: http://chrisoatley.com/category/paper-wings-show/ Chris Oatley’s Artcast: http://chrisoatley.com/category/podcasts/ Judge John Hodgman Podcast: http://www.maximumfun.org/shows/judge-john-hodgman Find more of Matt’s work at Border, KS! http://www.Border-KS.com Read Robin’s story at http://LeyLinesComic.com! Please share your experiences with us! You can always comment on the Moko Press site, or email us at info@mokopress.com! Want to hear more? Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes!

Pixar’s Rule #6: What is your character good at, comfortable with? Throw the polar opposite at them. Challenge them. How do they deal? Things mentioned in this episode: Brian McDonald’s Invisible Ink: http://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Ink-Practical-Building-Resonate/dp/0984178627/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1406928394&sr=8-8&keywords=invisible+ink – Robin’s Workshops (and Creative Writing Birthday Parties): https://www.mokopress.com/workshops/ – Matt’s Rant on Doctor Who: http://dishonoronyourcow.com/?p=43 – The new Bat Girl costume: http://io9.com/batgirls-new-uniform-may-be-the-best-damn-superheroine-1603247249 Find more of Matt’s work at the recently launched Border, KS! http://www.Border-KS.com Read Robin’s story at http://LeyLinesComic.com! Please share your experiences with us! You can always comment on the Moko Press site, or email us at info@mokopress.com! Want to hear more? Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes!

We’re chatting about the much reviled (or perhaps, misunderstood?) Mary Sue in today’s chat. Matt peers past the preconceptions to make the Mary Sue a useful writing tool, Cory reveals a unique perspective on his gender associations to the term, and Robin discovers an untapped level of rage for all things linked to labels. Come hack through the underbrush with us on another Moko Expedition! The LeyLines Kickstarter is in its final week! If you’d like to support the third book, please click here! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2088273372/leylines-in-print-volume-3 Find more of Matt’s work at the recently launched Border, KS! http://www.Border-KS.com Read Robin’s story at http://LeyLinesComic.com! Please share your experiences with us! You can always comment on the Moko Press site, or email us at

Pixar Rule #5: Simplify. Focus. Combine characters. Hop over detours. You’ll feel like you’re losing valuable stuff but it sets you free. We’ve launched our Kickstarter for Volume Three! Please support us here: http://kck.st/TNCc3a Matt’s Work: – Border, KS: http://border-ks.com – Blog: http://dishonoronyourcow.com Robin & Cory’s work: – LeyLines: http://leylinescomic.com Please share your experiences with us! You can always comment on the Moko Press site, or email us at info@mokopress.com! Want to hear more? Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes!

Cory and I are excited to launch into our newest addition here at Moko Press...The MOKO EXPEDITION! We love discussing storytelling craft, and it occurred to us that our readers might enjoy listening in on some of those discussions! Joining us is our good friend Matthew Parker. We three intrepid adventurers shall traverse the jungles of storytelling lore in search of undiscovered secrets and insights! Every other episode we'll be exploring one of Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling. In episode 1, hear our connections, objections, exceptions, and examples for Rule #1, "You admire a character for trying more than for their successes." Want to hear more? Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes!