Writing Excuses

 Rob Wells joins the Writing Excuses crew for a second 'cast, this time dealing with fight scenes. We talk about good blocking versus a bad blow-by-blow, and cover a few of the factors that may dictate the right style of description for that wicked-cool fight you've pictured in your head. This episode is fast-paced and, well... punchy. No, really, it is. Seriously, that seemed like the right word there, pun notwithstanding. Writing Prompt: Write a fight between two people who have never been in a fight before.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

Explore the nuances between marketing and PR, understand the role of publicists and marketing managers. Learn about positioning, audience targeting, and character repositioning for effective marketing. Discover the importance of crafting targeted messages aligned with the creative work's tone and audience.

Brandon and Dan met during a creative writing class at Brigham Young University, and Brandon went on to get a Master's Degree in the field. Howard has no formal training in the field. This begs the question... do creative writing classes help? Are they worth the time? Short answer: Yes, but maybe not in the way you were expecting. We discuss not only the formal education aspects of creative writing, but also the value of informal education -- attending conventions and sitting in on panel discussions about the craft. If you are looking to become a professional writer and are pondering your education options, this podcast is a must-hear. A must-listen-carefully, even. Writing Prompt: Fore! In this case, a golf metaphor. But not a pun. Please.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

Learn how to create engaging and unique government systems in your fictional worlds. Dive into the intricacies of monarchy, explore innovative political frameworks, and craft compelling conflicts within your governmental structures. Discover how renaming traditional offices can add originality to your world-building.

Authors are making mistakes with their websites, but the hosts provide valuable tips on blogging, domain names, hosting, and connecting with fans. They discuss the importance of engaging readers with updates, utilizing social media, and building a strong online identity. The chapter explores the significance of website design for authors, emphasizing feedback-driven improvements and audience-centric approaches.

In this episode, the hosts discuss the creation of non-human races in storytelling, exploring the complexities of world-building and character development. They delve into the challenges of avoiding stereotypes and creating multi-dimensional alien races. The importance of crafting unique cultures, physiology, and relatable personalities for non-human characters is emphasized. The episode also touches on the portrayal of Klingons in Star Trek and provides a writing prompt to create a believable alien perspective.

Delving into when to begin writing a book, the podcast discusses the challenges of discarding initial chapters, embracing imperfect drafts, and crafting strong starts. It explores the art of hooking readers with promises and creative story-starting techniques, emphasizing the importance of having the story in mind before starting.

Explore the writing habits of the hosts, including morning rituals and creating momentum in writing sessions. Learn about workspaces, music preferences, and strategies to avoid distractions. Discover the shift to a strict writing schedule for increased productivity and its impact on personal and family life.

The hosts discuss the importance of portraying violence realistically in writing and the potential dangers of making it humorous. They explore the balance between glamorizing violence and addressing its consequences in storytelling. They also delve into the concept of dehumanizing the enemy in fiction and real life. The role of violence in raising stakes and providing emotional motivation for characters is explored. The line between glorifying violence and depicting it for storytelling purposes is discussed, emphasizing the responsibility of writers and accountability of readers.

The hosts discuss the definition and significance of theme in storytelling, debating the role it should play in writing. They explore how themes emerge organically and debate the question of meaning in fiction. They also delve into the role of theme in genre fiction, particularly science fiction stories.