Podcast Episodes

Episode 163 - The benefits of an underdog.

Having readers fall in love with our character is so important, and making our hero an underdog is a good way to do it.  Here are thoughts on underdog characters.  Also, I'll read a few character des…

Published on 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Episode 162 - The state fair plotting technique.

Our story should be like a state fair: one thing after another.  Here are some ideas on state fair plotting.  Plus: settings shouldn't be inert locations in our novel or short story but rather should…

Published on 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Episode 161 - Ways to give readers what they want.

Readers want five things in a story, three of which are right in the beginning.  Here's a discussion of how to deliver those five things.  Plus, a character's thoughts are the least interesting aspec…

Published on 5 months ago

Episode 160 - Should our story have a theme?

Best-selling writers disagree on the importance of a theme in stories.  Here are thoughts on whether we should present a theme in our novel or short story.  And famous authors on their writing discip…

Published on 5 months, 1 week ago

Episode 159 - A surefire way to generate plot, the sidekick.

Putting a sidekick into our story adds many benefits, a main one being that readers love sidekicks.  Here are some techniques for creating a sidekick for our novel or short story.  Also, a list of ca…

Published on 5 months, 2 weeks ago

Episode 158 - A lifetime's writing advice reduced to one minute.

Were a young writer to ask me for advice, and only had one minute to listen, here is what I'd say.  Plus: how Louisa May Alcott worked.  And, avoiding the blahs and self-doubts when writing.

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Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Episode 157 - How we writers can create a world.

Remember the fabulous worlds that fantasy, sci fi, and historical writers create for us readers?  How do they do that?  What works so well?  I'll talk about world-building, not just for those novels …

Published on 5 months, 4 weeks ago

Episode 156 - How to write the fast start.

Many readers only give a story ten or twenty pages before putting it aside to look for something more interesting.  A fast start is the best way to maintain the reader's interest.  Here's how to writ…

Published on 6 months ago

Episode 155 - The single most important ingredient in an unforgetable story.

Manon in Paris asked, "Why do some novels move us more than others?"  Here is the single best way to make our story unforgettable, a story that moves the reader.  Also, have we heard the advice, "Wri…

Published on 6 months, 1 week ago

Episode 154 - Learning from the masterful writer Edna Ferber.

Edna Ferber was a master of character description.  Here are a few of her characters, and maybe we can pick up some of her skill.  Also, how many words a day do famous writers write, and how many wor…

Published on 6 months, 3 weeks ago