Writing Excuses

Dive into the crucial concept of stakes in storytelling, where character motivations drive the narrative. Discover how high-stakes and everyday scenarios engage the audience and foster empathy. Learn the importance of financial literacy for creatives, reflected through beloved stories. Explore emotional conflicts arising from selflessness and revenge in character choices. The discussion even includes a fun writing challenge to inspire creativity in just 15 minutes!

Mystery is a driving force across all fiction genres, captivating readers with its allure. The discussion digs into crafting compelling mysteries, emphasizing the thrill of characters being in the dark while the audience knows more. Stakes are analyzed, showcasing how personal connections enhance tension in cozy mysteries. Listeners are encouraged to explore historical mysteries, like 'Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidant,' while learning the art of planting clues and red herrings. A fun writing exercise challenges aspiring authors to create their own fictional crime scenes.

Shannon Hale joins us at LTUE for a live-audience session in which we explore gender biases, and extrapolate from there to our many other unconscious biases. Our unconscious biases are not just the things that we consider to be "just the way things are," or "common sense." They're the things we don't even see, much less consider, and the obvious challenge for us as writers is to find those biases, and then to dig into them and really understand them. Our goal is to be able to write beyond them, and create literature that is both more believable, and more widely accessible. Credits: This episode was recorded live at LTUE by Daniel 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

Dive into a chilling discussion on how to make mundane items like peanut butter terrifying. Explore the fine line between horror and gore, and learn how to enhance fear without overwhelming graphic elements. Discover the secrets of timing when to reveal monsters, and how character dilemmas can ramp up tension. The conversation also emphasizes the impact of authenticity in horror writing, using personal experiences to deepen storytelling. Plus, delve into the balance between fear and gore to craft compelling narratives.

Dive into the intriguing world of horror as a subgenre, where the elements of fear and dread transform storytelling. Discover how sensory details enhance immersion and character development. Explore the hopeful undertones in Robert McCammon's 'Swan Song' while analyzing the interplay of horror with other genres in works like 'Seven' and 'Aliens.' Lastly, uncover the mechanics behind horror narratives and embrace a creative challenge to blend humor with terror in your own writing.

How do we go about describing the clothing our characters are wearing? How do we use that to add depth to our story? What are the common mistakes that writers make when they start dressing their characters? Rebecca McKinney joined us on stage at LTUE to address all this. Liner Notes: We mentioned some resources for those wanting to get clothing right in their work: Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing Historic Costume for the Stage, by Lucy Barton The International Costumers' Guild Fashion Sketchbook, by Bina AblingOur 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

Join a lively discussion exploring the essence of elemental horror as Steve Diamond shares insights into how emotional connections amplify fear. Discover the fine line between horror and urban fantasy, and learn how financial literacy impacts a writer's journey. The creators tackle character dynamics, emphasizing the importance of crafting a competent protagonist to heighten tension. Plus, get inspired with a creative challenge to transform victories into chilling tales, showcasing the unexpected twists that redefine success in horror.

Dive into the art of adventure storytelling as the hosts explore how diverse incidents and settings capture reader interest. They discuss the influence of adventure games on narrative techniques, stressing the importance of unique conflicts beyond just combat. Tropes are examined, with a push for originality to keep plots fresh. The conversation shifts to non-Western adventure narratives, offering insights into cultural storytelling differences. Finally, improving character development during journeys is emphasized, ensuring readers remain engaged through every twist and turn.

Dive into the thrilling world of adventure writing, where character development and world-building take center stage. Discover how adventure blends effortlessly into various genres, enhancing narratives and capturing audiences. The discussion also addresses the intersection of adventure and horror, using suspense as a key engagement tool. Unpack the unique premise of 'The Shootout Solution' and examine how adventure can transform mundane plots into gripping tales. Overall, this exploration reveals the vital role of adventure in shaping character dynamics and emotional growth.

L.E. Modesitt, Jr. joined us at LTUE for a world building discussion centered around the way the environment informs the story. We talk about lead in Roman plumbing, water lilies in Las Vegas sewers, and coal power in the British Empire, and how these examples can help us more effectively use the environments in our stories. Liner Notes: We mentioned both Americapox, The Missing Plague, (a YouTube video) and the excellent book Guns, Germs, and Steel.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