Real Spies, Real Lives

P. A. Duncan

Where we talk about writing, spies, and writing about spies.

222 Episodes

The Big Four, Plots That Is - Part 1
3/6/2025
23:16
We've talked about the archetypes in spy novels, now let's talk about The Big Four -- the plots for spy novels. First up, The Mission.Book 2 in my mystery series, The Ewington Mysteries, is ready to preorder (the eBook). You can preorder Mournful Influence of the Unperceived Shadow for only 99¢ at amazon.com/dp/B0DYJYWXYN.
Protecting Covert Operatives
2/20/2025
25:35
Why it's important not to reveal the identity of covert operatives, the laws ensuring protection, and more.The Cold War novel LOVE DEATH is still on sale for 99¢ through the end of this month. You can find it at amazon.com/dp/B08QDLXBCS.Coming in March, a new mystery in the Ewington Mysteries Series.
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Plot vs Character
2/6/2025
24:02
A writing talk about plot vs character and which drives a story. The 2021 standalone espionage novel LOVE DEATH is the featured sale book for February 2025. The eBook version of the novel is only 99¢. You can find it at amazon.com/dp/B08QDLXBCS
Back to Spy-Writing Basics - Archetypes
1/16/2025
27:13
Learn all about the archetypes that should appear in spy fiction, courtesy of author Graeme Shimmin. P. A. Duncan's new novella, Every Day is a Test, is FREE to download through 1/19/25. amazon.com/dp/B0DRPNH4VS Unexpected Paths Publishing announces its first publication by an author other than P. A. Duncan: Secondhand Hugs, a chapbook of poetry by Mel Jones. amazon.com/dp/DRTGZKL7
Annus Horribilis
1/2/2025
20:37
Apologies for no music. Technical difficulties or operator error, take your pick. In this first episode of 2025, we learn that the podcast will now be twice a month, not weekly as it was previously. And a new novella by P. A. Duncan debuted on 1/1/25, and you can find it as an eBook or Paperback here: amazon.com/dp/B0DRPNH4VS Look for a new episode in two weeks.
The Real Spies, Real Lives Podcast is on Indefinite Hiatus
11/7/2024
2:18
Play the recording. It explains it all.
No 10/31/24 Podcast
10/31/2024
0:41
Apologies for no podcast today. My flu shot kicked my butt. I'll be back next week, but in the meantime, keep an eye out . . . for spies!
What Could Possibly Go Wrong with a Writer's Browser History?
10/24/2024
32:11
You've seen the memes: "Don't mind my browser history; I'm a writer." But is there anything to worry about? Maybe. Maybe not. We're in the final few days of the October promo: the 3 novels and the reader magnet for SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS will be 99¢ each through 10/31/24. Find them at amazon.com/dp/B08L3886FP.
The Writing Life
10/17/2024
30:02
Fifteen years of the writing life, and what do I have to show for it? Everything I ever dreamed of. The three novels and the reader magnet for Self-Inflicted Wounds are FREE to download through Sunday, October 20. amazon.com/dp/B08L3886FP
It's the 200th Episode
10/10/2024
26:59
To celebrate the 200th episode of the Real Spies, Real Lives Podcast, here is a history of how the podcast got started and some stats on how it's fared up to the 5th season so far. And the October eBooks sale is still on. The three novels and the reader magnet for SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS are 99¢ each, and you can find them HERE.

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Real Spies, Real Lives

P. A. Duncan

222 Episodes

The Big Four, Plots That Is - Part 1

Protecting Covert Operatives

Plot vs Character

Back to Spy-Writing Basics - Archetypes

Annus Horribilis

The Real Spies, Real Lives Podcast is on Indefinite Hiatus

No 10/31/24 Podcast

What Could Possibly Go Wrong with a Writer's Browser History?

The Writing Life

It's the 200th Episode