Amanda Peters, author of the short story collection *Waiting for the Long Night Moon*, shares her insights into storytelling. She reads a story from her collection and discusses her careful choices of point of view that create tension by letting readers know more than the characters. The conversation dives into writing emotionally weighted, quiet narratives and the problem-solving aspect of crafting a story. Peters also reflects on her journey oscillating between short fiction and novels, revealing the evolution of her storytelling process.
Amanda Peters highlights the significance of point of view and framing in creating emotional depth within her short stories.
The episode emphasizes problem-solving as a crucial skill for writers navigating the complexities of storytelling and character development.
Deep dives
Full Day Virtual Retreat for Fantasy Writers
A full day virtual retreat for fantasy writers is scheduled for September 28th, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. It caters to various sub-genres, including YA fantasy, adult fantasy, and dystopian fiction. The event features a lineup of award-winning authors, literary agents, and editors who specialize in the fantasy genre, offering invaluable insights and learning opportunities. Participants will also have the chance to submit their query letters for critique and enter a giveaway for a fantasy storytelling package worth $237.
Beta Reader Matchup Program
A beta reader matchup program is being offered for writers looking to find critique partners within similar genres and time zones. This program is open for registrations until September 30th, with matching emails sent out on October 1st. It provides an excellent opportunity for writers to connect and receive feedback on their work, even if it is still in progress. Participants can sign up for a 3,000-word evaluation, encouraging collaboration and community building among writers.
Podcast Format Changes for Sustainability
Exciting changes are being introduced to the podcast format to enhance content delivery and sustainability. The new schedule alternates between a 'books with hooks' segment, which focuses on query letter critiques, and in-depth author interviews. This shift is intended to give the hosts more space and time to create high-quality content. Additionally, there will be a greater emphasis on exclusive newsletter content for subscribers, ensuring continuous engagement with the audience.
Discussion on Short Story Writing and Perspective
Amanda Peters discusses her critically acclaimed short story collection, exploring the importance of point of view and framing when writing. By using a first-person narrative, the reader gains intimate insight into the character's experiences, particularly in conveying the Indigenous perspective. Peters emphasizes the necessity of creating tension even in quiet stories, showcasing how the reader's knowledge of impending events can enhance emotional weight. The podcast delves into the creative process of writing and the challenges of capturing deep themes within the concise structure of short fiction.
In today’s author interview, Bianca interviews Amanda Peters, author of Waiting for the Long Night Moon, which is a collection of short stories.
Amanda reads the first short story in the collection, and the two discuss framing and POV and Amanda's deliberate choices regarding POV in her stories; tension that comes from the reader knowing something the characters don't; writing quiet stories that are emotionally weighted; finding your way into a beginning and the evolution of Amanda's second story in the collection; problem solving as an integral part of being a writer; and Amanda's experience oscillating between writing short stories and novels.
Note: Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra are literary agents at P.S. Literary Agency, but their work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly and CeCe on this podcast are solely that of them as podcast co-hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency.
Carly's course for writers, The Author's Publishing Playbook, is available at carlywatters.com/course. If you haven't grabbed it yet, podcast listeners can use discount code POD15
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