Bad On Paper Podcast: March 2025 Three Things Episode Summary

Hosts: Becca Freeman & Olivia Muenter
Release Date: March 5, 2025
Title: March 2025 Three Things

1. Personal Highs and Lows

Highs:

• Olivia Muenter ([01:13]) shares her excitement about the arrival of spring:
  "The snow is finally like 90% gone off the ground. The sun is out, it is slightly warmer. I can see the garden emerging... I'm so ready."

• Becca Freeman ([03:10]) reflects on her positive week:
  "I’ve gone on a walk every day. I got started on my new draft of my book and I feel good about that. I think I'm locked in."

Lows:

• Becca Freeman ([04:04]) recounts a disappointing experience working from the library:
  "I had a spectacular work fail this week... there were 40ish babies screaming. It was not going to work out how I had envisioned."

• Olivia Muenter ([07:53]) admits she doesn’t have a real low but expresses nervousness about her upcoming author portraits:
  "I am getting new author portraits done... I'm quite nervous."

2. AI Assistance in Writing: The ChatGPT Debate

Becca ([18:27]) initiates a discussion on the ethical and practical implications of using AI tools like ChatGPT in writing and communication:

"In the writing community, ChatGPT is very maligned. Everyone's asking if it can write books, and there's a lot of fear about the devaluation of written communication."

Olivia ([20:38]) shares her limited experience with ChatGPT, particularly in title brainstorming for her book, revealing skepticism about its effectiveness:

"The title suggestion 'No Country for Big Women' was off the mark. It just doesn't work well. I never used it again."

Becca ([23:00]) echoes Olivia’s reservations, highlighting concerns about authenticity and the erosion of personal voice:

"Using ChatGPT for communication feels icky, especially when outsourcing important messages like performance reviews."

Olivia ([25:20]) expands on the potential loss of empathy and individuality, comparing the rise of AI to the earlier boom of social media:

"When you streamline things to such a point, you lose so much of what life is... There is no road bumps anymore."

The hosts agree that while AI can be a helpful tool in specific scenarios, it poses significant risks to personal expression and authentic communication.

3. Book Spotlight: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Comparison to Harry Potter:

• Olivia ([30:37]) introduces the debate on whether Fourth Wing is the adult counterpart to Harry Potter:

  "Is Fourth Wing like Harry Potter for adults? Is it about the same level of fandom and community?"

• Becca ([31:29]) agrees on the sales success but notes differences in audience engagement:

  "Onyx Storm was the fastest-selling book in 20 years, similar to Harry Potter. However, the connection to characters isn't the same due to the different target audiences."

Impact on Authors:

• Becca ([36:09]) discusses the intense pressure and mental health struggles faced by authors like Rebecca Yarros post-success:

  "Rebecca Yarros posted about not having an anxiety attack when opening a blank document for the first time since September... the darker side of big literary fandoms."

• Olivia ([39:06]) empathizes with the isolating experience of sudden fame, comparing it to other authors like Colleen Hoover:

  "Having one thing hit and then fearing the next can be a terrifying experience for authors. It’s hard to balance success with mental well-being."

The conversation highlights the dual-edged sword of literary success—celebrating blockbuster hits like Fourth Wing while acknowledging the personal toll on the creators behind them.

4. TV Show Theories: White Lotus and Severance

White Lotus Season 2:

• Olivia ([49:07]) expresses mixed feelings about the latest season, particularly regarding an implied incest plotline:

  "There’s something on White Lotus Season 2 that implies an incest plotline. I'm uncomfortable and unsure how to proceed."

• Becca ([50:20]) adds her anticipation despite reservations, mentioning favorite cast members:
  "If I get sucked into this season, it’s because of Parker Posey and Leslie Bibb, whom I love."

Severance:

• Becca ([50:37]) introduces a spoiler-filled discussion on Severance, sharing theories about the show's plot developments:

  "Lumen seems related to cloning. Ms. Wong might be a clone of Gemma, and Harmony Cobell could be involved in the severance experiments."

• Olivia ([52:06]) speculates on hidden agendas and future plot twists, emphasizing the show's intricate storytelling:

  "Everything on Severance means something... I'm ready to see Milchick tear down Lumen from the inside."

The hosts delve into complex narrative theories, encouraging listeners to engage with ongoing plot mysteries while maintaining some spoiler-free discretion.

5. Book Recommendations and Book Club

Recent Reads:

• Olivia ([62:31]) reviews Bittersweet by Hattie Williams, noting its emotional depth and departure from her usual preferences:

  "The main character’s intense depression made Bittersweet feel cold to me, but the concept is something I'm obsessed with."

• Becca ([64:34]) praises Deep End by Ali Hazelwood for its unique dive-centered plot and strong characterization:

  "It's about a female diver and a male swimmer in a dominant-submissive relationship. I enjoyed the niche subculture and the fresh dynamics."

Book Club Pick:

• Becca ([68:37]) announces March’s book club selection, Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley, detailing its indie music scene setting and inviting listeners to an author event:
  "Our March book club pick is Deep Cuts… Join us at Barnes & Noble on March 6 for a spoiler-free discussion with Holly Brickley."

• Olivia ([70:47]) mentions the community engagement through the Geneva app, encouraging listeners to join social discussions and book clubs:

  "Join us in Geneva or our Facebook group under Batonpaper Podcast to connect with fellow listeners and book enthusiasts."

6. Final Observations and Fun Obsessions

Fashion and Comfort:

• Olivia ([60:10]) shares her excitement over new fashion finds, like barrel jeans from Future Collective, embracing comfort and style:
  "I got a pair of black barrel jeans. They're comfy and part of my big pants era."

• Becca ([61:22]) talks about her obsession with Vuori joggers, highlighting their unique color and versatility:

  "These sky blue Vori joggers are perfect for lounging and experimenting with different silhouettes without the commitment of buying new pants."

Upcoming Releases:

• Olivia ([62:31]) recommends Bittersweet by Hattie Williams, while Becca ([63:06]) endorses Deep End by Ali Hazelwood and I Leave It Up to Youo by Jin Woo Chong for their unique storytelling and character development.

7. Community and Social Media Engagement

• Olivia and Becca encourage listeners to join their online communities via the Geneva app and Facebook group, fostering a space for discussions on books, TV shows, and personal interests:

  "Join us in Geneva… or our Facebook group under Batonpaper Podcast… We're also on Instagram @BatonpaperPodcast."

• They promote upcoming events, such as author meet-and-greets, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and shared experiences among listeners.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Olivia Muenter ([01:13]):
  "I'm getting so hot, hyped for spring and being in the garden and working on stuff."

• Becca Freeman ([04:04]):
  "I have a silly low that I had a spectacular work fail this week."

• Olivia Muenter ([25:20]):
  "When you streamline things to such a point that there is no road bumps anymore, you lose so much of what life is."

• Becca Freeman ([31:29]):
  "Onyx Storm was the fastest selling book in the past 20 years... I don't see the identification with the Harry Potter houses the same way."

• Olivia Muenter ([52:16]):
  "I think the writers of Severance are smarter than me. Whatever I think is gonna happen, they're already making it too simple."

Conclusion

In this episode of Bad On Paper, Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter delve into a range of topics from personal updates and the ethical dilemmas of AI in writing to the meteoric rise of Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing and its impact on authors. They also explore complex theories surrounding popular TV shows like White Lotus and Severance, while sharing their latest book recommendations and engaging with their listener community. The hosts balance thoughtful analysis with personal anecdotes, providing a comprehensive and engaging discussion for both regular listeners and newcomers alike.