Writing Excuses

Dive into the intriguing balance of deep versus wide world-building in fiction. Discover how rich, detailed environments create meaningful narratives while exploring societal impacts through fantasy elements. Learn the challenges of incorporating scientific realism into stories, especially regarding radiation and virology. The conversation also covers financial hurdles for writers, emphasizing sound planning, and introduces the fascinating evolution of cephalopods. Plus, gain insights into crafting unique, diverse characters that break stereotypes!

Your Hosts: Howard, Mary Robinette, Dan, and Dongwon "Positioning feels like the most important question in all of publishing." — DongWon Song In this episode we talk about how to ask and answer the question of positioning, which is "who is this book for?" Credits: This episode was recorded before a live audience aboard Liberty of the Seas 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 Jared Quan Jared Quan serves as a volunteer on several non-profit boards, and joined us to talk about the opportunities that exist for writers. Administration, leadership, writing and editing, and teaching are just a few of the many kinds of roles available for volunteers. Credits: This episode was recorded live at LTUE by Dan Thompson, and 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

Your Hosts: Brandon, Mary Robinette, Dan, and Howard Some science fiction and fantasy stories arise from a premise which, under even just rudimentary examination, appear utterly ridiculous. And some of these stories are hugely successful. In this episode we talk about how we manage our worldbuilding when the goal is less about building a world which works, and more about getting the audience to buy in on something outlandish so we can get on with our story. Liner Notes: "Went With The Wind" begins about two minutes into this full episode of the Carole Burnett Show 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

Delve into the fascinating world of naming in storytelling. Discover how languages shape character identities and enhance world-building. Explore the art of crafting unique names, drawing inspiration from diverse cultures. Listen as the hosts share their experiences with constructed languages like Dothraki and its impact on narrative depth. Humorous anecdotes highlight the journey of naming while revealing common pitfalls. Get ready for a creative challenge to invent your own intriguing naming conventions!

Writers are encouraged to focus on the tip of the iceberg in world-building while leaving the vastness unexplored. The art of selective detail enriches storytelling and aids reader immersion. There’s a deep dive into balancing act between showing and telling, evaluating when to elaborate and when to keep it concise. Discussions around the complexities of world-building, especially in sci-fi, reveal the challenges of detail management. Real-world examples from collaborative writing underscore the need for clarity in narratives.

The hosts dive into the unavoidable reality of author branding, exploring how it impacts careers. They discuss the delicate balance between authenticity and marketing strategies to connect effectively with readers. Personal anecdotes bring humor as they navigate misconceptions about public persona versus private identity. Tips on maintaining genuine representation in branding are shared, alongside the challenges of genre pigeonholing. Plus, there's a delightful book recommendation that highlights innovative storytelling, making for an insightful and entertaining discussion!

Discover how to construct compelling worlds that challenge the status quo while avoiding preachiness. Delve into the complexity of flawed characters and relationships as they reflect societal issues. Learn about the delicate art of tackling sensitive topics like colonialism in literature. Explore alternate histories and their responsibility in addressing racism and sexism. Unravel the intricacies of societal oppression and how to create relatable protagonists who inspire self-reflection amidst imperfection.

Your Hosts: Brandon, Mary Robinette, Margaret, and Howard Let's talk about worldbuilding with gender roles. Most of us have grown up with a very strongly defined binary, that distinction need not be how we craft the worlds in which we set our stories. In this episode we discuss the resources we have to help us, and the approaches we've taken to worldbuild with gender in our own work. We drill down pretty deeply on some worldbuilding with Brandon, and yes, we run quite long. Credits: This episode was recorded by Dan Thompson, and mastered by Alex Jackson Liner Notes Axes of Power spreadsheet pronoun.is, #ownvoices, #nonbinaryOur 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

Explore how cultural settings can create rich conflicts in storytelling. Dive into themes like immigration and generational divides, enhancing character depth through cultural identity. Personal anecdotes highlight the impact of cultural conflicts on character motivations. Learn about the power of sensory writing to depict these struggles effectively. The discussion wraps up with a creative homework assignment, challenging listeners to envision unique societal interactions.