Writing Excuses

Bill Schaefer of Subterranean Press talks publishing with us.Our Sponsors:* Check out MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/excuses* 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

Cherie Priest joins the cast for a discussion of dystopian fiction before a live audience.Our Sponsors:* Check out MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/excuses* 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

The cast talks about self publishing, our early career difficulties, Easter Eggs, and more...Our Sponsors:* Check out MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/excuses* 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

How do you respond to bad reviews, publisher errors, or other possible "career fail" situations?Our Sponsors:* Check out MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/excuses* 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

How do you go about transitioning characters in relative prominence during a series of books?Our Sponsors:* Check out MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/excuses* 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

Jeph Jacques of Questionable Content discusses discovery writing and how to dig yourself out of holes when writing. They explore strategies for navigating uncertainty in web comic creation and overcoming writing obstacles. They also share tips for fixing plot holes and generating new ideas using past work.

The cast discusses survivorship bias in the writing industry, cautioning listeners to critically analyze their own experiences. They explore the misconceptions surrounding breaking into writing, the importance of discerning advice, and the success of novellas without an established platform. The chapter also delves into the impact of survivorship bias on success in the creative field and the misconception that networking guarantees success.

The podcast discusses the challenge of making non-human characters relatable in fiction, suggesting incorporating universal desires and needs. They also talk about drawing upside down faces, recommend a book, and explore strategies to create relatable non-human characters. The importance of a human gateway character is discussed, along with how non-human characters enhance the weirdness of science fiction and fantasy.

Topics covered include setting goals and working under deadlines, the value and risks of entering writing contests, the consequences of being too subtle in writing, knowing when to quit or take a break from writing, and word count and size limits in different genres.

The podcast discusses combining dialogue, blocking, and description for storytelling. They talk about the importance of maintaining the flow of the story and using effective blocking to establish context. They also explore character descriptions and their role in revealing personality. The hosts provide tips on effectively combining these elements in writing.