Essential Guide to Writing a Novel
James Thayer
Hosted by James Thayer, the podcast is a practical, step-by-step manual on how to craft a novel. It presents a set of tools for large issues such as story development and scene construction (Kirkus Reviews said Thayer's novels are "superbly crafted') and it also examines techniques that will make your sentence-by-sentence writing shine. The New York Times Book Review has said Thayer's "writing is smooth and clear. it wastes no words, and it has a rhythm only confident stylists achieve.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 10, 2023 • 24min
Episode 86 - The importance of a tie-up later list. Also: sequels.
Why should we keep a tie-up later list? How to create one and their importance are mentioned. And Angelou, King, and Tolstoy. Also: should we plan a sequel?Support the show
4 snips
Nov 3, 2023 • 26min
Episode 85 - Dialogue's three most important techniques.
Learn the three most important techniques for writing dialogue in fiction, including why arguments make for the most interesting conversations for readers. Discover how to make third-person narrators as intimate as first-person narrators. Explore Mark Twain's daily writing habits and his unconventional methods for promoting sleep.
Oct 27, 2023 • 24min
Episode 84 - Why we should create a funny character, and how to do so.
Humorous characters are fun to read about and fun to write about. Here are some thoughts on why funny characters are important in our stories, and some techniques for creating funny characters. Also: Charles Dickens' daily work schedule.Support the show
Oct 20, 2023 • 26min
Episode 83 - How to show our character's thoughts to avoid interior monologue.
Here are ways to show with action and dialogue what our character is thinking so we can avoid visiting the character's mind for interior monologue, usually the least interesting element of a story. And we visit Somerset Maugham, Truman Capote, and Herman Melville.Support the show
Oct 13, 2023 • 28min
Episode 82 - Finding the courage to write, and describing our first-person hero.
Do we need courage to write our first novel? If so, where do we find it? Also, writing the physical description of our hero in a first-person novel can be tricky. Here are thoughts on how we might do so.Support the show
Oct 6, 2023 • 27min
Episode 81 - The top ten fiction writing techniques.
Here's a list of the most important techniques we should think about when plotting and writing our novel or short story. Also, more on making our settings work for our story. And, how we can show rather than tell about love.Support the show
Sep 29, 2023 • 25min
Episode 80 - Maybe we are writing magic, and strong versus weak words.
Did soon-to-be famous writers know as they drafted their novels that they were creating magic for readers? Maybe. Maybe not. And how can we choose the strong word instead the the weak, so that our sentence shines? Also, here are thoughts on how long our chapters should be, and how to make sure they are not too long and not too short.Support the show
Sep 22, 2023 • 28min
Episode 79 - Tips for writing YA fiction. Also: adding detail to our scenes.
Young adult fiction is a vast market, and many wonderful writers create YA novels. Here are some thoughts on YA, some techniques we might keep in mind as we put together a story meant for teenagers. Also, what is the balance between not enough detail and too much detail in our scenes? I'll set out a formula.Support the show
Sep 15, 2023 • 26min
Episode 78 - Developing a distinctive voice, and flashbacks.
A distinctive voice can add a charming or compelling aspect to a story. What is voice? And do we need a distinctive voice? Maybe not, maybe so. Here are thoughts about a voice for our stories. Also mentioned are ideas and techniques regarding flashbacks.Support the show
15 snips
Sep 8, 2023 • 25min
Episode 77 - Eleven techniques for writing strong sentences.
Learn how to create impactful sentences in fiction writing using eleven techniques to make your writing clear and forceful. Explore the importance of active voice, strong verbs, and vivid descriptions. Discover how to craft a story arc and engage readers with alternate realities in your novel.
