The Writing Society The Writing Society E02: Nuances of Story
Jul 2, 2025
In this engaging discussion, hosts tackle the challenges of editing and how reader perception shapes narrative. They suggest writing alternate versions to clarify original visions and emphasize developing antagonists as protagonists. The conversation dives into the nuances of dark comedy, exploring how tone and voice transform drama into humor. Listeners also learn about crafting meaningful stakes, the importance of distilling stories into one-liners, and using short films to hone writing skills. A treasure trove of insights for aspiring writers!
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Plan Rewrites And Allow Grief
- When a reader's notes make you sad, write a plan for the rewrite before changing scenes.
- Allow grief for what you're losing, but create a deliberate strategy to implement the note.
Readers Read Their Own Story
- Readers give notes on the story they think they're reading, not the one you intended.
- If your writing isn't clear, feedback will demand changes to a different perceived story.
Mathematician Misread As Descent Into Hell
- Talton shared a script about a mathematician that readers thought ended with descending into hell.
- He learned his writing made readers see a different story than he intended, costing him audience comprehension.
