Writing Excuses

Join a vibrant brainstorming session where intriguing science fiction ideas take center stage! Explore the concept of 'Dark Flow' and delve into dual DNA creatures and ancient alien communication. Unravel the cosmic mystery of lithium depletion tied to an imaginative ADHD Cthulhu. Discover the nocebo effect and its implications for storytelling, alongside a literary dive into business intrigue. Finally, ponder the mind-body connection and the whimsical possibilities of belief affecting reality and alien theories!

Discover the art of weaving multiple viewpoints into your storytelling. Dive into the pros and cons of various narrative styles, from quick switches to deep character development. Learn techniques to maintain reader engagement and create coherent narrative arcs. Explore how to enrich your writing with distinct perspectives while avoiding common pitfalls. Plus, get inspired with a creative prompt that encourages exploring diverse viewpoints using an imaginative tree analogy.

Discover the essence of epic storytelling and its key characteristics. Dive into the differences between heroic and epic fantasy, with an emphasis on world-building. Learn how to balance personal conflicts with universal stakes while crafting your narratives. Explore the unconventional strategy of starting with small characters to develop your skills. This short yet impactful discussion is packed with insights and examples from literature to inspire budding writers.

The hosts embark on a wild brainstorming journey inspired by quirky headlines. They conjure stories featuring weather-controlling revenge at a Paris dance competition, and a treasure hunt involving undead elephants. Dark humor and absurdity flourish as they explore neo-necromancy and magical snail mucus. One tale involves a dog that hilariously swallows a diamond, leading to urban misadventures. A mystical narrative unfolds about an art collector and a snake that vanishes from paintings, alongside a captivating prompt about a soul-selling venture.

Jessica Day George discusses the nuances of writing for young adults, differentiating it from middle-grade and adult genres. The hosts dive into the teenage experience, exploring how to authentically portray emotional struggles without resorting to clichés. They also examine the significance of relatable themes and settings, particularly in fantasy and science fiction. Plus, there’s insight into how a protagonist's age influences marketing strategies. And don’t miss the fun writing prompt that flips the script by putting a young character in charge of adults!

The discussion dives into the challenges of writing male characters, focusing on differences in speech and communication styles compared to female characters. Insights into problem-solving styles showcase humorous gender distinctions. The conversation explores how to approach male characters in female-centric stories while challenging stereotypes. A writing prompt encourages creativity around absurd 19th-century beliefs, pushing writers to experiment with historical context and character depth. Get ready for a fascinating exploration of gender in storytelling!

The podcast dives into the intricate dance between authors and editors, highlighting the importance of clear communication. It addresses the fears new writers face during the editorial process and emphasizes the need for collaboration. Personal anecdotes reveal the challenges of retaining artistic vision amid editorial expectations. The episode also touches on the dynamics of crafting stories for young readers, underscoring their understanding and creativity. With insights from industry experience, the discussion is rich with practical advice for aspiring writers.

Join a lively Q&A as James Dashner dives into the fiery debate of outlining versus discovery writing. The conversation dances around crafting impactful character deaths that resonate emotionally. They sprinkle in humor while discussing holiday gift ideas for budding writers and recommend thrilling reads, including Dean Koontz's 'False Memory.' A creative writing prompt sets the stage for imaginative storytelling, encouraging writers to experiment with their unique processes and embrace both twists and character motivations.

Join a lively discussion about the art of pacing in writing! The guest shares insider tips on how to craft suspenseful cliffhangers and effective chapter structures. Discover the importance of chapter length across different genres and learn the subtle tricks of the trade. Don't miss the playful banter among friends, especially with the guest author, as they highlight the power of punchlines and climaxes. Plus, there's a creative writing prompt that gets you thinking outside the box!

Roll for initiative, folks! Brandon, Dan, and Howard all play tabletop role-playing games, and sometimes even play together. The question of the hour (well... quarter-hour) is "how can these games help your world building, storytelling, and anything else having to do with good writing?" If this 'cast doesn't make you want to play RPGs with your friends, congratulations on a successful Saving Throw vs. Dark Podcast Magic. If this 'cast doesn't make you want to sit down and start writing, you have our condolences. That's not the saving throw you were supposed to make! In the spirit of not-necessarily-related personal information: This week we learn that Howard is moister than Dan. In related news, see the Writing Excuses crew this coming Saturday, February 13th, at the Life, The Universe and Everything Symposium at Brigham Young University in the Wilkinson Center. We'll be there for the full symposium, but on Saturday we'll actually be recording in front of an audience. You'll also get to meet Bob Defendi, who gets mentioned at least three times in this episode. Audiobook Plug: Nation, by Terry Pratchett Writing Prompt: Don't write about players being sucked into their RPGs. That's been done a lot. Suck the RPG characters out into our world, and see what happens. This episode of Writing Excuses has been brought to you by Audible. Visit http://AudiblePodcast.com/excuse for a free trial membership*. *Note: From the Audible website, here are the terms of the free membership. Read the fine print, please! Audible® Free Trial Details Get your first 14 days of the AudibleListener® Gold membership plan free, which includes one audiobook credit. After your 14 day trial, your membership will renew each month for just $14.95 per month so you can continue to receive one audiobook credit per month plus members-only discounts on all audio purchases. A very small number of titles are more than one credit. Cancel your membership before your free trial period is up and you will not be charged. Thereafter, cancel anytime, effective the next billing cycle. Any unused audiobook credits will be lost at cancellation.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