Writing Excuses 20.38: An Interview with Charlie Jane Anders
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Sep 21, 2025 
Charlie Jane Anders, the award-winning author of 'All the Birds in the Sky,' dives into her unique approach to narrative. She discusses the playful use of omniscient POV and its impact on tone, sharing how her characters evolve alongside the narrative. Anders reveals insights from her new book, 'Lessons in Magic and Disaster,' blending queer themes with humor. She also emphasizes the importance of whimsy and offers a writing exercise to enhance scenes with narrative asides, encouraging authors to take bold risks.
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Sequel Drafts Already Exist
- Charlie Jane Anders wrote about 30,000 words of a sequel and included it as a pre-order reward for Lessons in Magic and Disaster.
- She paused the sequel because other projects and timing made her put it on the back burner.
Omniscient Narration Is Selective
- Anders saw using omniscient POV as playful and selectively intrusive rather than literally all-knowing.
- She argues omniscient narration always involves selectiveness and can be effective when used sparingly.
A Risky Omniscient Aside Hooked Readers
- Anders almost cut a scene where the narrator reveals an assassin, but readers later named it as a favorite hooked moment.
- She used the omniscient aside as a playful risk that ultimately succeeded with readers.
