Welcome back to Write-Handed!

In this episode, our first of a special two-part series diving into legendary baseball biographies, we step up to the plate to explore Ron Rapoport’s Let’s Play Two: The Legend of Mr. Cub, The Life of Ernie Banks.

Join us as we trace Ernie Banks’ journey from his early days in segregated Dallas and his time with the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues to becoming the heart and soul of the Chicago Cubs. Kyle and AJ unpack the following:

Personal Hurdles & Early Life

o Navigating systemic racism, spring training housing segregation, and personal turning points that shaped his legendary resilience.

On-Field Glory

o How "Mr. Cub" smashed barriers and baseballs alike, earning two National League MVPs and cementing his place in Cooperstown.

The Cathedral on Addison & Clark

o We take a tour of historic Wrigley Field, discussing its unique character, curses, and trendsetting traditions.

Get our take on Rapaport’s writing style, what we think about the story, and hear how the readers reviewed this piece.

Whether you're a die-hard baseball fan, a lover of great biography writing, or just here for the banter, grab your favorite concession snack and tune in!

New episodes every See you NEXT Tuesday!

Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, or your favorite platform.

Contact us:

Email: ajknightaj@gmail.com

AJ Knight Novels on Amazon: AJ Books

Webpage: AJ Knight Site

Twitter: @AJKnight3

InstaGram: ajknightauthor

Produced by Whining Dog Productions LLC: WDPLLC2026@gmail.com

TikTok: @wdpllc

Welcome back to Write-Handed! On today’s episode, AJ and Kyle are cracking into the linguistic piggy bank to look at money idioms, and honestly, the financial world sounds like a total fever dream. Have you ever actually stopped to think about the phrases we use every day? If you tell someone you’re going to "break the bank" just to "bring home the bacon," you may sound like you're planning a high-stakes, backyard pork heist.

From 9th-century Viking tax enforcement to 17th-century gambling houses, the origins of our favorite cash phrases are weirder, darker, and funnier than you think. Plus, AJ and Kyle kick things off with a bittersweet farewell to the humblest, most useless piece of copper in our pockets: the recently discontinued penny. Because let’s be honest, in this economy, "a penny for your thoughts" isn't covering the cost of the sigh it takes to utter them.

Grab your piggy banks, hide your wallets, and let's find out why we say the ridiculous things we say when we talk about cash.

New episodes every See you NEXT Tuesday!

Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, or your favorite platform.

Contact us:

Email: ajknightaj@gmail.com

AJ Knight Novels on Amazon: AJ Books

Webpage: AJ Knight Site

Twitter: @AJKnight3

InstaGram: ajknightauthor

Produced by Whining Dog Productions LLC: WDPLLC2026@gmail.com

TikTok: @wdpllc

In this inaugural session of the Write-Handed Writers Workshop, AJ and Kyle dive deep into what makes a hook unforgettable, and what makes a reader toss a book across the room. We examine how a writer establishes mood in a single sentence, crafts a dynamic voice, and creates conflict quickly. We analyze classic and modern masterpieces to unpack why great openings work. Plus, we take apart infamous literary blunders and analyze some of AJ's personal writing!

Key Discussion Points

1. Establish Atmosphere Quickly

• Great openings introduce an immediate sense of place or mood, often inserting a subtle detail that feels "off" to create tension.

2. Introduce Voice Immediately

• A compelling narrator or distinct perspective grips the reader before the plot even kicks off.

3. Present Conflict or Mystery Early

• Unanswered questions generate immediate curiosity that propels the narrative forward.

4. Build a World with Specificity

• Concrete details anchor readers in your universe and build instant trust.

5. Use Contrast to Create Impact

• Pair opposing ideas or start with the aftermath of a dramatic event to create thematic tension.

6. Create Emotional Stakes Immediately

• Nostalgia, memory, or subtle emotional cues build deep character connection early.

Hall of Shame: Opening Blunders to Avoid

• The Ultimate Cliché: Edward George Bulwer-Lytton’s Paul Clifford (1830) — "It was a dark and stormy night..." Infamous purple prose and run-on structure.
• The Overly Melodramatic: Amanda McKittrick Ros’s Irene Iddesleigh (1897) — Pretentious, convoluted phrasing turning simple ideas into a chore.
• Weather Reports: Elmore Leonard’s #1 Rule of Writing — Avoid opening with pure weather reports unless it directly shapes character reaction.
• Common Pitfalls: Beware of the "Info-Dump" or "Alarm Clock" trope where a character wakes up, stretching, and staring in the mirror.

Kyle analyzes AJ's short story openings in detail, providing examples from a current writer. Tell us what you think!

New episodes every See you NEXT Tuesday!

Contact us:

Email: ajknightaj@gmail.com

AJ Knight Novels on Amazon: AJ Books

Webpage: AJ Knight Site

Twitter: @AJKnight3

InstaGram: ajknightauthor

Produced by Whining Dog Productions LLC: WDPLLC2026@gmail.com

TikTok: @wdpllc