Writing Excuses

Mary Robinette Kowal offers encouragement to the 2011 NaNoWriMo crowd.Our Sponsors:* Check out Gusto: https://gusto.com/WX* 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

Andrew P. Mayer joins Howard, Mary, and Dan to talk about taking silly ideas and making seriously awesome stuff out of them.Our Sponsors:* Check out Gusto: https://gusto.com/WX* 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

Brandon Sanderson offers a quick pep-talk for NaNoWriMo participants.Our Sponsors:* Check out Gusto: https://gusto.com/WX* 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

Jonathan Maberry joins Howard, Dan, and Mary to discuss pigeonholes -- specifically, not ending up in one.Our Sponsors:* Check out Gusto: https://gusto.com/WX* 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

Mur Lafferty joins Howard, Mary, and Dan to talk about ways in which writers can continue their education.Our Sponsors:* Check out Gusto: https://gusto.com/WX* 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

Brandon, Mary, Dan, and Howard each crank out the beginnings of a story from the same set of story seeds.Our Sponsors:* Check out Gusto: https://gusto.com/WX* 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

Delve into the intricacies of crafting powerful story endings. The hosts discuss how to ensure conclusions resonate with beginnings and highlight classic examples from film. They explore the impact of personal stakes, showing how character-driven conflicts can surpass grand narratives. Unique writing techniques are shared, encouraging listeners to rethink unsatisfying endings. The episode emphasizes delivering on storytelling promises and concludes with a playful exercise to ignite creative thinking!

The hosts explore the vital skill of pitching for writers, emphasizing concise presentation. They break down three key pitch formats, including the elevator pitch, perfect for capturing attention quickly. Insights on crafting a one-sentence pitch highlight the importance of recognizable references. Emphasizing clarity and intrigue, they discuss personal interactions with editors. Through anecdotes and tips, they illustrate the value of practice in perfecting your pitch, helping writers engage effectively with publishers.

Lou Anders, a Hugo Award-winning author and editor, joins the discussion at Dragon*Con. The conversation dives into the 'Hollywood Formula' and its significance in writing for both screen and print. They explore how this framework can enhance emotional engagement without stifling creativity. The roles of protagonists and antagonists are examined, with insights into crafting dynamic characters. Notably, they analyze classics like 'Casablanca' and 'The Dark Knight,' revealing how they subvert expectations while mastering narrative structure.

Peter Ahlstrom, assistant to Brandon Sanderson, and Valerie Dowbenko, assistant to Pat Rothfuss, join Brandon and Dan to talk about what they do for "their authors."Our Sponsors:* Check out Gusto: https://gusto.com/WX* 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