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
Feb 24, 2023 • 22min
Episode 49 - Avoiding the biggest mistake, and keeping the POV tight.
If we are going to spend a year or two writing a novel, shouldn't we avoid a mistake in our very first chapter that ruins the novel's chances with agents and publishers? Here's the mistake and how to avoid it. Also mentioned are techniques on keeping the point of view tight.Support the show
Feb 17, 2023 • 25min
Episode 48 - Writing strong dialogue, and Ray Bradbury on plotting.
Dialogue is fun to write and fun to read. What's the best way to mix dialogue with action? How can we make sure dialogue and action work together to propel the story forward? And how science fiction legend Ray Bradbury came up with his plots.Support the show
Feb 10, 2023 • 22min
Episode 47 - A strong plotting technique, and leeches.
Sometimes when plotting we run out of ideas. Here's a good way to prime the plotting pump. And more on qualifiers, the leeches that infest the pond of prose.Support the show
Jan 6, 2023 • 26min
Episode 46 - What if no one comes to our book signing? And crafting our narrative voice.
No one in line to buy an autographed copy of your novel? You are not alone. The Wall Street Journal tells of famous authors who have suffered empty bookstores. And techniques for fitting our narrative voice to our genreSupport the show
Dec 30, 2022 • 20min
Episode 45 - Techniques to make our dialogue riveting.
Dialogue is fun to write and fun to read. Here is a strong technique to make our dialogue fascinating for readers. Also, novel writing's rule of exceptions.Support the show
Dec 23, 2022 • 22min
Episode 44 - How to avoid another prospect-killing mistake.
We'll talk in this episode about another big mistake, one that will cause agents and editors to put aside our manuscripts after four or five pages. Also, some dialogue is better than other dialogue, and so here are tips on writing fascinating dialogue.Support the show
Dec 16, 2022 • 27min
Episode 43 - Dialogue should do double duty. Here's how.
Dialogue that does only one thing might be inert. Talk between our characters should do double duty, and here are techniques about how to write double-duty dialogue. Also, how to avoid the as-you-know syndrome in dialogue.Support the show
Dec 9, 2022 • 25min
Episode 42 - The single most important writing technique.
What's the one most important writing technique for novelists? If we get it wrong it sinks our publishing chances. We'll talk about how to get it right. Also, how to add the charming or funny or odd trait to our character that will make him or her stick in the reader's mind.Support the show
Dec 2, 2022 • 25min
Episode 41 - How can we know if we have the talent to write?
Can we know in advance if we have the talent to write a novel, before we spend the time and effort to write it? Here are some thoughts. Also, we can get better at close observing and phrase- making, and some techniques are discussed.Support the show
Nov 25, 2022 • 26min
Episode 40 - Creating villainous villains.
Here are techniques for creating fictional villains readers will love to loathe and fear. We writers can make readers shudder when our scoundrels appear.Support the show
