Writing Excuses

Discover the art of crafting future worlds by blending today's realities with imaginative storytelling. Dive into the challenges of integrating technology and societal shifts into narratives. Explore human nature and vulnerabilities while balancing potential outcomes in storytelling. Learn about reverse engineering worldbuilding to strengthen character and plot development. Get inspired to innovate with fresh prompts, showcasing the dynamic intersection of satire and realism in speculative fiction.

The podcast dives into the art of line editing, showcasing techniques to tighten prose while maintaining original intent. Common pitfalls like overusing adverbs and adjectives are discussed, with practical examples to enhance clarity and reader engagement. The importance of active voice is emphasized, highlighting how sentence structure impacts clarity. Furthermore, the speakers analyze descriptive language to improve character portrayal and narrative perspective, providing listeners with valuable editing insights and a creative writing prompt.

Brandon, Dan, and Howard start at the ending and work their way backwards for your enjoyment.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

What do you do when, halfway through the book you're writing, you realize it needs to be completely rebuilt? More importantly, how do you figure this out in the first place? This podcast came about as a result of a question from a listener, but the question was specific to "what if you find out it's too derivative?" As it turns out, that's just one of the many problems you can discover midway through a novel. We spend the first half of the cast discussing how each of us identify the showstopping problems that require us to overhaul our works. We then talk about the process of fixing things that might, at first glance, appear to be completely unfixable. Sometimes we shift pieces of paper around, sometimes we push blocks of text around in our word processors, and sometimes we have to do something really significant, like adding an entirely new character or point-of-view. One of the best features of this particular 'cast is the bit in the second half where Howard and Dan grill Brandon about his process for Towers of Midnight. Wheel of Time fans won't find any spoilers, but they'll certainly gain some insight. Audiobook Pick-of-the-Week: The Warded Man, by Peter V. Brett, which Howard loves because of the "stand-up-and-cheer" moments of heroism throughout the book. Writing Prompt: Take something you've already written, grab a throwaway concept in that story, and rewrite that scene or chapter so the throwaway bit is now the major focus. Moment of Extreme Hubris: "I give lessons." Listen for it. That Episode on Stealing for Fun and Profit: Right here. This episode of Writing Excuses has been brought to you by Audible. Visit http://AudiblePodcast.com/excuse for a free trial membership*. *Note: From the Audible website, here are the terms of the free membership. Read the fine print, please! Audible® Free Trial Details Get your first 14 days of the AudibleListener® Gold membership plan free, which includes one audiobook credit. After your 14 day trial, your membership will renew each month for just $14.95 per month so you can continue to receive one audiobook credit per month plus members-only discounts on all audio purchases. A very small number of titles are more than one credit. Cancel your membership before your free trial period is up and you will not be charged. Thereafter, cancel anytime, effective the next billing cycle. Any unused audiobook credits will be lost at cancellation.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 hosts discuss the importance of natural dialogue and provide tips on avoiding stilted language. They explore the concept of stilted dialogue, its components, and the challenges of creating authentic conversations. They also discuss the issue of stilted dialogue in storytelling and suggest strategies to make it more natural. The hosts give examples from 'Firefly' and recommend the book 'American Gods'. Includes a writing prompt to practice incorporating information seamlessly into dialogue.

James Dashner and Julie Wright talk covers, titles, and first lines with Brandon and Dan.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

James Dashner and Julie Wright join Brandon and Dan at CONduit in Salt Lake City, and may end up wishing they hadn't. Brandon throws sets of story concepts at the crew, and asks them to quickly frame serious stories with a solid settings and cool characters. The first set of story elements: Church accountant contact lenses that ruin your vision brain implants The second set of story elements: Hell for English Majors Key that will lock any door The third set of story elements: Janitors are trying to take over the world They're going to be stopped by a superhero with no arms It can't be silly Audiobook Pick-of-the-Week: The Forest of Hands and Teeth, by Carrie Ryan Writing Prompt: This whole episode was made of writing prompts. Pick one! Fun Random Fact: Howard worked as a church accountant for a while and he owns contact lenses that do, in fact, impair his vision. Freaky Bonus Thanks: We couldn't have recorded this episode without help from our friends at Dungeon Crawlers Radio. This episode of Writing Excuses has been brought to you by Audible. Visit http://AudiblePodcast.com/excuse for a free trial membership*. *Note: From the Audible website, here are the terms of the free membership. Read the fine print, please! Audible® Free Trial Details Get your first 14 days of the AudibleListener® Gold membership plan free, which includes one audiobook credit. After your 14 day trial, your membership will renew each month for just $14.95 per month so you can continue to receive one audiobook credit per month plus members-only discounts on all audio purchases. A very small number of titles are more than one credit. Cancel your membership before your free trial period is up and you will not be charged. Thereafter, cancel anytime, effective the next billing cycle. Any unused audiobook credits will be lost at cancellation.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

Janci Patterson and Robison Wells have both sold books very recently. Brandon and Dan put them on the spot and ask how they did it.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

Live from CONduit in Salt Lake City, L.E. Modessit Jr. and the Writing Excuses crew answer questions from the 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

Explore the concept of 'practical' fantasy, where realism reigns. The discussion highlights the importance of economic structures in world-building and critiques traditional narratives for their inconsistencies. Gain insights into the feasibility of planetary terrains and the necessity of thorough research for character authenticity. Dive into the intricacies of constructing resilient fantasy worlds that blend creativity with logical principles. This lively conversation encourages writers to move beyond clichés for a more believable narrative experience.