Writing Excuses

Dive into the thrilling world where suspense meets elemental storytelling! Discover how to craft tension and emotional engagement to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Learn the secrets behind blending thrillers with other genres, from the nuances of peril to the stakes of character motivations. Explore captivating examples like 'Planetfall' that showcase thriller mechanics in unexpected ways. Plus, get practical tips on setting writing goals while navigating the financial challenges of a creative career.

Alyssa Wong, Campbell Award nominee and Nebula Award winner, joins us to talk about impostor syndrome. This is the frame of mind that many successful writers suffer from, in which they worry that they're not really good enough at writing to be enjoying their success. Worse, this mindset can prevent us from continuing to create. Many of us suffer from this, and we have some strategies to cope with it. Credits: This episode was recorded by Jeff Cools, and mastered by Alex Jackson. Our Sponsors:* Check out MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/excuses* Check out Peace Corps: https://peacecorps.gov/serve* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/wx* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/wx* If you’re struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/wxSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dive into the captivating world of thrillers, where suspense and high stakes reign supreme. Discover the differences between thrillers, horror, and mysteries, and learn how thrilling narratives create anxiety and tension. The hosts reveal classic techniques, showcasing examples like 'The Da Vinci Code' and 'Patriot Games'. Explore the delicate balance of tension and pacing while getting practical writing tips, including the intriguing 'Yes But No And' technique to elevate your storytelling.

A lively Q&A dives into the art of crafting intricate mysteries. Tips for balancing dual mysteries enrich the storytelling process. The discussion uncovers how to avoid premature reveals of secrets and empowers kidnap victims beyond mere plot devices. The hosts explore writing intelligent protagonists, emphasizing their limitations and struggles. Listeners are encouraged to explore the layers of intrigue in their writing, combining practical advice with reflections from popular literature and film.

Dive into the fascinating world of elemental mystery, where curiosity drives narratives and keeps readers hooked. Explore the psychological aspects motivating readers to unravel secrets alongside characters. Discover how emotional responses vary with different types of reveals. The discussion includes crafting compelling character backstories intertwined with mysteries. Gain insights on creating narratives that organically reveal clues, and engage in a practical exercise to ignite your own storytelling creativity.

Dive into the crucial concept of stakes in storytelling, where character motivations drive the narrative. Discover how high-stakes and everyday scenarios engage the audience and foster empathy. Learn the importance of financial literacy for creatives, reflected through beloved stories. Explore emotional conflicts arising from selflessness and revenge in character choices. The discussion even includes a fun writing challenge to inspire creativity in just 15 minutes!

Mystery is a driving force across all fiction genres, captivating readers with its allure. The discussion digs into crafting compelling mysteries, emphasizing the thrill of characters being in the dark while the audience knows more. Stakes are analyzed, showcasing how personal connections enhance tension in cozy mysteries. Listeners are encouraged to explore historical mysteries, like 'Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidant,' while learning the art of planting clues and red herrings. A fun writing exercise challenges aspiring authors to create their own fictional crime scenes.

Shannon Hale joins us at LTUE for a live-audience session in which we explore gender biases, and extrapolate from there to our many other unconscious biases. Our unconscious biases are not just the things that we consider to be "just the way things are," or "common sense." They're the things we don't even see, much less consider, and the obvious challenge for us as writers is to find those biases, and then to dig into them and really understand them. Our goal is to be able to write beyond them, and create literature that is both more believable, and more widely accessible. Credits: This episode was recorded live at LTUE by Daniel Thompson, and mastered by Alex Jackson. Our Sponsors:* Check out MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/excuses* Check out Peace Corps: https://peacecorps.gov/serve* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/wx* Check out Talkiatry: https://talkiatry.com/wx* If you’re struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/wxSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dive into a chilling discussion on how to make mundane items like peanut butter terrifying. Explore the fine line between horror and gore, and learn how to enhance fear without overwhelming graphic elements. Discover the secrets of timing when to reveal monsters, and how character dilemmas can ramp up tension. The conversation also emphasizes the impact of authenticity in horror writing, using personal experiences to deepen storytelling. Plus, delve into the balance between fear and gore to craft compelling narratives.

Dive into the intriguing world of horror as a subgenre, where the elements of fear and dread transform storytelling. Discover how sensory details enhance immersion and character development. Explore the hopeful undertones in Robert McCammon's 'Swan Song' while analyzing the interplay of horror with other genres in works like 'Seven' and 'Aliens.' Lastly, uncover the mechanics behind horror narratives and embrace a creative challenge to blend humor with terror in your own writing.