Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchEpisode 57 - An important tool, the timeline. Also, authorial distance.
Creating a timeline can help us keep things straight as we plot and write. Also, here's a discussion of authorial distance, which is the closeness o…
3 years, 5 months ago
Episode 56 - How many characters are too many? And he wore his guilt like a harness.
For each scene, the perfect number of characters exists. We'll talk about that number. Too few, and we don't have a scene. Too many, and the scene…
3 years, 5 months ago
Episode 55 - How many words should we write a day? And the use of contrast.
How many words a day? Too fast, and our story might be sloppy. Too slow, and we'll never finish. Here are some thoughts about our pace of writing.…
3 years, 5 months ago
Episode 54 - Fear of failure, author photos, and the use of humor.
Here are thoughts on how we might handle doubts about our writing abilities, the fear of failure. Plus, more tips on facing the camera. And: humor…
3 years, 6 months ago
Episode 53 - Embarrassing stuff, and the middle of the novel.
We shouldn't write about embarrassing stuff, and here's a list. Also, here are techniques to rev up the middle of the novel, often the hardest part …
3 years, 6 months ago
Episode 52 - Making our sentences more lively, and avoiding reader disbelief.
Here's a strong way to make our sentences pop, to make our writing lively and energetic. Also: how to keep the reader engaged by reducing disbelief…
3 years, 6 months ago
Episode 51 - The wonder factor.
Let's apply the wonder factor to our stories, giving readers elements that will make them shake their heads and smile, and so remember our writing. …
3 years, 6 months ago
Episode 50 - The right kind of surprise ending, and wonderful character descriptions.
The ending of our novel should be a surprise but not a complete surprise. Here are techniques for crafting that balance. And famous character descr…
3 years, 7 months ago
Episode 49 - Avoiding the biggest mistake, and keeping the POV tight.
If we are going to spend a year or two writing a novel, shouldn't we avoid a mistake in our very first chapter that ruins the novel's chances with ag…
3 years, 7 months ago
Episode 48 - Writing strong dialogue, and Ray Bradbury on plotting.
Dialogue is fun to write and fun to read. What's the best way to mix dialogue with action? How can we make sure dialogue and action work together t…
3 years, 7 months ago