Intentionally Blank Losing Your Audience - Intentionally Blank Ep. 171
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Sep 12, 2024 
Brandon Sanderson, an acclaimed fantasy author, and Dan Wells, a popular thriller writer, dive into the intricacies of storytelling. They discuss how authorial intrusion can break immersion, with examples from films and literature. The duo highlights the joy of spotting character actors and how familiar faces impact viewer experience. They also analyze the quirks of fictional devices, like 555 phone numbers, and the challenges of word choice in fantasy writing, emphasizing the importance of cultural nuances and thoughtful details in world-building.
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Symmetrical Titles
- Brandon Sanderson accidentally created a symmetrical pattern with Stormlight book titles.
- He considered "Knights of Wind and Truth" but chose "Wind and Truth" because it sounded better.
Hidden Doctor Who
- Mary Robinette Kowal hides Doctor Who references in her books.
- The references are subtle enough to avoid disrupting the narrative.
Stan Lee Cameos
- Dan Wells finds Stan Lee's cameos distracting in Marvel movies.
- He feels they remind him that he's watching a movie, breaking immersion.