Writing Excuses

The podcast discusses writing reluctant characters and provides tips on making them realistic and engaged in the plot. It also explores creating compelling arcs for these characters, using examples from 'The Hobbit'. The episode delves into the world of Celebromancy in a fictional Oregon town and discusses the challenges of writing reluctant and weak characters in literature, using examples like Superman and characters from The Hollow City.

The hosts discuss publishing schedules and the use of different storylines in comics. They explore the challenges and experimentation in the Sunday strip format and debate outlining vs discovery writing. They share their experiences with a well-known author and creating a 'Scolzy Award.' Topics also include receiving awards, having a nemesis, and strategies for resetting after work.

The team talks about the confusion caused by legal language in contracts and emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance. They discuss important aspects of book contracts such as foreign contracts and subsidiary rights, as well as the Reversion of Rights Clause. They also talk about a historical fiction book set in 1816, peculiar weather blamed on magicians, and licensing rights for board games and merchandise. The chapter delves into the details of a publishing contract, including exclusive rights and payment concerns.

The hosts discuss chapter breakdowns and point of view interspersing, switching between different points of view, creating chapter breakdowns and outlining scenes, and their approach to breaking down chapters and writing multiple main characters.

The hosts discuss the challenges of balancing writing and cooking. They explore the history and characteristics of space opera genre in science fiction and its potential for blending with other sub-genres. The speaker reflects on their childhood experience with Buck Rogers comics and their love for science fiction that inspired them to create their own space opera. They discuss a military themed space opera and highlight its adventure, character interaction, and battles. The speakers discuss the popularity of space opera films and stress the importance of reading science and having a background in science when writing science fiction.

E.J. Patten, specializing in middle-grade fiction, discusses the distinctions between middle grade and young adult books, the preferences and boundaries of the middle grade audience, and the challenges of writing short and long fiction for middle grade and YA novels.

The hosts discuss the evolution of the Hugo-nominated novella 'Kiss Me Twice' and the challenges faced when cutting down the story. They explore the role of AI and jealousy, the plotting of a caper, and the influence of alternate history and superheroes in Adam Christopher's 'Empire State'. They also delve into the potential of a new meta and its character arc, highlighting the idea of tension and survival.

The hosts discuss strategies for rewriting drafts and writing relatable AI characters. They explore the challenges of crafting AI dialogues and tactful promotion. The speakers share insights on promoting their eligible works for awards. They discuss accepting first publishing offers and choosing between small presses and agents.

Author E.J. Patten joins us to talk about pre-writing and the importance of concept development. They discuss the inspiration behind their monster hunter story and different pre-writing techniques. The speakers also delve into outlining, character development, and the distinction between discovery writers and outliner writers.

The podcasters discuss 'The Avengers' and praise its handling of an ensemble cast, excellent dialogue, and absence of mindless exposition. They explore characterization, pacing, and realism in the movie. They analyze the elements the movie got right, including multiple-purpose scenes and character arcs. They also offer criticism and debate believability of character developments.