Writing Studio Hour Stream: Late-Night Writing Sprints, Story Development, and Building a Free Fiction Library
- Matthew Walker
- Aug 5
- 5 min read
In an effort to consistently write more, and expand our free-to-read catalogue, I will be starting writing studio hour stream, or a late-night writing sprint. The concept is simple, over the course of an hour I will run two 20-25 minute writing sprints. That allows me to draft live and you can watch me write in real time. I can run my mouth about whatever current work or upcoming projects I have. Projects get actual progress made on them so I can expand our catalogue. Plus, any other writers motivated to sprint along can do so. It is late at night because I have three children and that is when the house is finally quiet enough to consider live streaming.
How did we start our free-to-read library?
The Retinue of House Walker began its written library after a disappointing experience at a renaissance faire. The kind of experience that really bums you out after you just drove two hours to stand in the sun all day just to have ye olde landfill stuffing hawked on you. After reflecting on that, I came to the conclusion that “I could do better”. Of course, I was immediately laughed at and told that that was a slippery slope. That’s fair enough, most all of my slopes have been pretty slippery, but I sat down and asked what would I do if I could perform at a ren faire?
The idea was a multi part encounter acted out in scenes over the course of a day. I was also getting super into HEMA and discovering the magic that is British military saber and French smallsword systems. No one was going to allow me to just magically get on stage, so what I did instead was write it down. Writing that down is what eventually became our first novelette, Three-Blade Will. That might be a published story now, but it was born originally as a performance.
Part way through writing that novelette I was also inspired to write another story based on performance art. That release has been drafted and still needs revisions and edits, but it will be The Almshouse Inquest. That one hit novella length and I am excited to share it.
Of course, in a different article, we discussed our vision and why we offer a free-to-read version of our releases that you can read here:
Why stream at all?
Because writing takes time. Even after a release is available on our website, the next one may be a long way away. The next story still has to be outlined, drafted, revised, multiple rounds of editing passes, given to beta readers, maybe revise and edit again, and then consider developing the cover, front/back matter and formatting for release. That means there could be months between short stories. Streaming studio time where I show my writing keeps the project alive in between releases and shows the process. I wish I could write as good or as quickly as these authors who publish multiple full length novels in a year, but I just can’t.
The stream is the public record of my progress, and a means to maybe build some community. Everyone gets an artistic block sometimes so a sprint with some stranger on a live stream just might be what it takes to get through it.
What happens during a Writing Studio Hour Stream?
First, it’s called a studio hour, but sometimes it takes longer than that. It is a structured format with timed sprints.
Opening Introduction- Allows me to introduce the project, where it is at or what I hope to accomplish in our time together. This takes a few minutes to let people ‘join’ and get settled if they are writing along.
Sprint Number One- I will set a timer for 20-25 minutes. During this block, it will be quiet but visible work on whatever I am writing at the time. Maybe some muttering to myself, or answering chat questions, but I will be drafting and sprinting along with everyone else.
Break / Progress Check- Once the sprint clock runs out, it is time for a short break and check in. I will go over how many words I managed to get and what I accomplished in that time. Chat will be open for everyone to participate with their own word counts and achievements and we can cheer on and support everyone.
Sprint Number Two- After the break and check in, a second sprint timer will be set, and it is back to writing. Some sessions may produce a lot of words, some may solve a structural problem or other issue. Some sprints might even involve staring at the keyboard and hoping the words just type themselves.
Final check in- Again, after the sprint, share word counts and go over what was accomplished. Maybe some speculation about where the current work is headed, or something that I am looking forward to doing, etc.
Overall the process should take around an hour, but the exact time depends entirely on how much yapping I do.
How often will studio sessions be streamed?
I am hoping at least monthly, but when possible they will be announced ahead of time. Some times of the year may have more studio hours hosted than others. November used to be big for writing competitions and contests to really push 50,000 words in a month so some extra sprints then might be useful.
Where will they be streamed?
On our YouTube Channel. Subscribing to the channel and turning on notifications is the easiest way to know when a Studio Hour, narrated release, or project video goes live. Our regular videos are published there, and that is where our writing sprints will be streamed. Plus, each of our free-to-read stories will eventually have a narrated version released on our channel as well. Subscribing and participating on our channel helps support those parts of the project.
At some point, I might figure enough technology out to be able to stream on more than one platform. Then who knows, you might find us on Twitch, Kick, or TikTok.
How can you support the project?
You don't have to buy anything to support the Retinue or the project. Reading, sharing, watching and subscribing all help the project grow. In fact, the best way to support the project in this early stage is to help the work reach more readers and viewers.
Our biggest push right now is getting more YouTube subscribers. YouTube subscribers and watch time help the channel grow and may eventually allow video content to help fund future stories and other Retinue projects.
You can find our channel on YouTube at The Retinue of House Walker
To follow future written releases and announcements join our mailing list on Substack. That is the easiest way to hear when new stories, narrated versions or project announcements are available. We also don't send out our Retinue Dispatches (emails to our email list) unless something actually happens like a new story is released on the website, or a narrated version is published on our YouTube channel.
Every read, watch, share, comment, follow and subscription helps the project grow. Free access and low barriers are the front door, and audience support helps to keep it open.
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