In this episode of Ready Writer One, Shane Carlson interviews Tommy Kerper, also known as SourpatchHero, discussing his unique approach to writing in the LitRPG genre, his transition from law to full-time writing, and the supportive community surrounding LitRPG. The conversation explores themes of character development, the writing process, and the importance of community engagement in the literary world. The conversation explores the experiences of authors in the LitRPG genre, focusing on themes of community, representation, and the creative process. Tommy Kerper shares insights on his writing journey, the importance of diverse characters, and his upcoming projects.

Takeaways

• Unique perspective on storytelling
• Importance of community support Community support is vital
• Diversity enriches storytelling

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Sour Patch Hero
• 01:26 The Journey to Writing
• 04:35 Transitioning from Law to Writing
• 08:48 Community and Reader Engagement
• 12:10 The Impact of Conventions
• 15:51 Character Development Insights
• 20:00 Lessons Learned as an Author
• 24:56 Writing Process and Techniques
• 25:57 The Joy of Book Collecting
• 28:20 Creative Inspirations and Upcoming Works
• 32:07 Writing to Market vs. Writing for Passion
• 36:10 Working with Publishers and Audiobook Narration
• 40:37 World Building: A Discovery Process
• 41:42 Unhinged Questions and Character Dynamics
• 43:45 The Importance of Representation in Literature
• 49:32 Future Projects and Community Support