
Writing Excuses
Fifteen minutes long, because you're in a hurry, and we're not that smart.
Latest episodes

Jul 14, 2024 • 24min
19.28: A Close Reading on Character: Internal vs External Identity
C.L. Clark, the author of 'The Cook,' discusses the balance between external and internal expressions in character development. They highlight the importance of sensory details in conveying characters' internal landscapes. The podcast explores the use of infographics to understand character motivations and goals. Listeners are encouraged to analyze their characters' arcs from different perspectives. Sandra Tayler's new book and a Kickstarter campaign for short stories are mentioned as well.

Jul 7, 2024 • 24min
19.27: A Close Reading on Character: An Overview and Why We Chose C.L. Clark's Stories
This podcast delves into character development in C.L. Clark's short stories, highlighting the depth of emotional arcs and unique storytelling style. They discuss strategic world-building, tools for character development, and analyze the power dynamics and relationships in Clark's works. The episode also encourages writers to explore character depth through creative exercises.

Jun 30, 2024 • 28min
19.26: Bringing Falconry into Writing
Falconer Krista Hong Edwards discusses falcons, literature, and the connection between falconry and writing. Topics include bird acquisition, incorporating husbandry in fiction, and falcon enrichment. Recommended reading: 'The Goshawk,' 'H is for Hawk,' and 'Untethered Sky.'

Jun 23, 2024 • 26min
19.25: From the Classroom to the Page
The guest Marshall, a recording engineer with an MFA, discusses transitioning from classroom to writing, maintaining motivation, using critique groups, and internalizing story structure in writing. They explore workshopping in MFA programs, appreciate an Edgar Allan Poe-inspired TV series, and discuss analyzing disliked writing techniques for improvement. Also, they talk about teaching writing concepts as a strategy for self-learning.

12 snips
Jun 16, 2024 • 36min
19.24: An Interview on Worldbuilding with Arkady Martine
Award-winning author Arkady Martine discusses her intricate world-building process, blending historical research with fiction. She explores food culture, character perspectives, and narrative choices in creating immersive and believable worlds in her novel.

9 snips
Jun 9, 2024 • 22min
19.23: Tying It All Together (A Close Reading on Worldbuilding)
In this podcast, the hosts discuss lessons learned from 'A Memory Called Empire' and share favorite bits. They also preview upcoming topics on character, tension, and structure in future episodes. Additionally, they explore creating audience surrogates, the role of language in worldbuilding, and a role-playing game inspired by Mexican telenovelas.

Jun 2, 2024 • 26min
19.22: Technology and Identity (A Close Reading on Worldbuilding)
Delving into the intersection of technology and identity in worldbuilding, the episode explores Imago technology in 'A Memory Called Empire' and the implications of self-modification. Discussing the impact of documentaries on storytelling, the hosts encourage writers to draw inspiration from real-world complexities. They prompt listeners to envision scenarios challenging individual identity through technology and magic, sparking creativity in crafting debate scenes.

May 26, 2024 • 28min
19.21: Language as a Tool (A Close Reading on Worldbuilding)
Delve into the intricate world of 'A Memory Called Empire' as the hosts discuss the power of language in shaping culture, identity, and narrative development. Explore how words like empire, assimilation, and bomb are used to convey important themes. Unpack the role of language in creating immersive worlds and crafting meaningful literature within fiction.

May 19, 2024 • 28min
19.20: How to Make Worlds Feel Big Without Overwhelming the Reader (A Close Reading on Worldbuilding: Focusing on Scale)
Discover how to make worlds feel big without overwhelming the reader by focusing on scale and movement across vast spaces. Explore the intricate use of language to establish an empire across time, not just space. Learn about techniques for portraying scale in writing and highlighting character importance amidst expansive settings.

15 snips
May 12, 2024 • 29min
19.19: A Close Reading on Worldbuilding: An Overview and why A Memory Called Empire
Explore the intricacies of worldbuilding in writing, focusing on 'A Memory Called Empire'. Learn about balancing structural and decorative elements to engage readers effectively. Delve into the detailed worldbuilding of the novel, highlighting culture, names, and narrative structures. Join a diverse group of characters in a fantasy role-playing podcast and discover savings promotions for language learning and grocery shopping.