Writing Excuses

Your Hosts: Dan, Mary Robinette, DongWon, and Howard At WXR 19 we recorded live, and took audience questions aboard the ship. Here they are! (You'll have to listen to the episode for the answers.) What have you learned in the past year that has improved your craft? When you're having trouble, how do you know if it's "I don't feel like writing" or "there's a problem with the manuscript?" How far ahead do you plan your careers? How do you tell when a fight/battle/showdown is going on for too long? How do you continue to learn and improve on your craft? How do you manage and prioritize your time when you're working on multiple projects? How do you feel about multiple first-person POVs in a single book? What are the most important elements to include on the last page of your book? What are some things we can do to strengthen our voice when writing in third person? How do you decide who to have as alpha and beta readers? In secondary world stories, how do you decide whether to call a horse a horse? How much leeway will an editor or agent give a story when it's not ready, but it shows promise? Liner Notes: "Sometimes Writer's Block is Really Depression" Credits: This episode was recorded by Bert Grimm, and mastered by Alex JacksonOur Sponsors:* Check out Aeropress and use my code WX for a great deal: https://aeropress.com* Check out Gusto: https://gusto.com/WX* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/WXSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Your Hosts: Brandon, Victoria, Dan, and Howard How do you create chapters? What are the rules for carving your manuscript into numbered chunks? Is chaptering part of your outline, is it something you discover while you write, or is it something else entirely? In this episode we talk about how we do it, and how we think about it while it's being done. Credits: This episode was recorded by Dan Thompson and mastered by Alex JacksonOur Sponsors:* Check out Aeropress and use my code WX for a great deal: https://aeropress.com* Check out Gusto: https://gusto.com/WX* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/WXSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this discussion, fantasy author Patrick Rothfuss, known for his Kingkiller Chronicle series, shares insights on crafting beautiful prose that resonates with readers. The conversation explores elements like word choice, sentence structure, and the significance of dialogue in storytelling. Rothfuss and the hosts emphasize the importance of concise writing, encouraging writers to embrace brevity for emotional impact. They also celebrate poetry, highlighting Gwendolyn Brooks and urging listeners to engage with diverse forms of expression to enhance their creativity.

Your Hosts: Brandon, Victoria, Dan, and Howard What kind of career goal-setting do you do? We had a discussion in this vein with DongWon a few weeks ago, but neither Brandon nor Victoria participated then, so it's worth revisiting. Credits: This episode was recorded by Dan Thompson, and mastered by Alex JacksonOur Sponsors:* Check out Aeropress and use my code WX for a great deal: https://aeropress.com* Check out Gusto: https://gusto.com/WX* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/WXSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Patrick Rothfuss, bestselling author of the Kingkiller Chronicle, joins the hosts to explore the art of revision. He shares techniques for gaining perspective on drafts and emphasizes the importance of identifying weaknesses. The conversation dives into the balance between narrative structure and emotional engagement. They discuss maintaining character dynamics and the role of tension in storytelling. Rothfuss also offers practical strategies for condensing text and enhancing clarity, essential tools for any writer looking to refine their craft.

Victorine Lieske, a New York Times bestselling self-published author, leads a vibrant discussion with fellow authors Tamie Dearen, Bridget E. Baker, and Nandi Taylor. They share their unique self-publishing journeys, highlighting effective marketing strategies and the balance of writing with day jobs. Discover insights on using platforms like Kindle Unlimited and Wattpad, along with financial tips for managing income unpredictability. They also emphasize the importance of reader engagement and adaptability in a competitive market.

Your Hosts: Brandon, Victoria, Dan, and Howard Victoria Schwab, who also writes as V.E. Schwab, joins us this year, and in this episode she helps us cover that deep concept of "theme," and how we as authors can state our themes without coming straight out and stating them—writing our themes "between the lines." Credits: This episode was recorded by Dan Thompson, and mastered by Alex JacksonOur Sponsors:* Check out Aeropress and use my code WX for a great deal: https://aeropress.com* Check out Gusto: https://gusto.com/WX* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/WXSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Your Hosts: Dan, DongWon, Mary Robinette, and Howard Season 15 is going to be a bit broader than the previous seasons have, at least in the abstract. We're going to focus on your questions. In this episode we tackle the topic that dominates our collection of these questions: CAREER. Liner Notes: It hasn't actually been 15 years. It's been 12. Writing Excuses launched in February of 2008, and the first five seasons were not full-year seasons. Credits: This episode was recorded by Bert Grimm, and mastered by Alex JacksonOur Sponsors:* Check out Aeropress and use my code WX for a great deal: https://aeropress.com* Check out Gusto: https://gusto.com/WX* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/WXSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Your Hosts: Brandon, Mary Robinette, Dan, and Howard, with special guest Natasha Ence Natasha Ence is a professional game master. (Yes, you read that correctly.) She joins us to discuss collaborative storytelling, and how the principles of game mastering for role-players can be applied to creating a fulfilling, engaging story. Credits: This episode was recorded live at LTUE by Dan Thompson, and was mastered by Alex Jackson.Our Sponsors:* Check out Aeropress and use my code WX for a great deal: https://aeropress.com* Check out Gusto: https://gusto.com/WX* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/WXSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Exploring the beauty and depth of worldbuilding in movies like Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse and Annihilation, discussing flaws in worldbuilding, critiquing inconsistencies, and reflecting on the importance of seamless integration with storytelling. The hosts also announce a new format and thank listeners for their support.