Writing Excuses

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 MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/EXCUSES* Check out Quince: https://quince.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 MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/EXCUSES* Check out Quince: https://quince.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 MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/EXCUSES* Check out Quince: https://quince.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 MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/EXCUSES* Check out Quince: https://quince.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.

Your Hosts: Brandon, Mary Robinette, Margaret, and Howard We've all heard the adage "write what you know," and in this episode we set out to un-misinterpret it. The phrase is fraught, and perhaps the most perilous bit is that it can be used an excuse to not write. Here at Writing Excuses we're pretty committed to approaching things in ways that let us do MORE writing, so this topic is a great place for us to leave you out of excuses. Credits: This episode was recorded by Dan Thompson, and mastered by Alex JacksonOur Sponsors:* Check out MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/EXCUSES* Check out Quince: https://quince.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, Dan, Howard, and Mahtab In this episode we discuss how our customs and mores govern our own real-world interactions, and how our understanding of these interactions can be applied to our worldbuilding. Credits: This episode was recorded by Dan Thompson, and mastered by Alex Jackson.Our Sponsors:* Check out MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/EXCUSES* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/wxSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy