Writing Excuses

Authors are making mistakes with their websites, but the hosts provide valuable tips on blogging, domain names, hosting, and connecting with fans. They discuss the importance of engaging readers with updates, utilizing social media, and building a strong online identity. The chapter explores the significance of website design for authors, emphasizing feedback-driven improvements and audience-centric approaches.

In this episode, the hosts discuss the creation of non-human races in storytelling, exploring the complexities of world-building and character development. They delve into the challenges of avoiding stereotypes and creating multi-dimensional alien races. The importance of crafting unique cultures, physiology, and relatable personalities for non-human characters is emphasized. The episode also touches on the portrayal of Klingons in Star Trek and provides a writing prompt to create a believable alien perspective.

Delving into when to begin writing a book, the podcast discusses the challenges of discarding initial chapters, embracing imperfect drafts, and crafting strong starts. It explores the art of hooking readers with promises and creative story-starting techniques, emphasizing the importance of having the story in mind before starting.

Explore the writing habits of the hosts, including morning rituals and creating momentum in writing sessions. Learn about workspaces, music preferences, and strategies to avoid distractions. Discover the shift to a strict writing schedule for increased productivity and its impact on personal and family life.

The hosts discuss the importance of portraying violence realistically in writing and the potential dangers of making it humorous. They explore the balance between glamorizing violence and addressing its consequences in storytelling. They also delve into the concept of dehumanizing the enemy in fiction and real life. The role of violence in raising stakes and providing emotional motivation for characters is explored. The line between glorifying violence and depicting it for storytelling purposes is discussed, emphasizing the responsibility of writers and accountability of readers.

The hosts discuss the definition and significance of theme in storytelling, debating the role it should play in writing. They explore how themes emerge organically and debate the question of meaning in fiction. They also delve into the role of theme in genre fiction, particularly science fiction stories.

Genre-fiction publishing expert, Dave Wolverton, joins the Writing Excuses team to discuss using pseudonyms, the state of the publishing industry, and breaking into the industry. They also explore writing for specific audiences and starting with contests.

Author and Writing Excuses team member, Dave Farland, joins the hosts to discuss strategies for dealing with boredom and writing the 'boring parts' of a story. They cover skipping ahead, switching viewpoints, following the pain, and writing in first-person narrative. Tips on engaging storytelling, breaking free from predictable patterns, introducing conflicts, and writing about family conflicts and side characters are also explored. Writing prompt: Kill the main badguy in every chapter.

This week features guest Dave Wolverton, an accomplished author known for his romance fiction expertise. He dives into the art of writing romance, emphasizing the balance between realism and idealization. The discussion touches on the intertwined journeys of romance and identity, character development, and how to create relatable characters. Wolverton also shares insights on overcoming insecurities in writing, making connections to deeper societal themes. Prepare for a lively exploration of love in literature from a unique perspective!

Professor Bob Defendi, an expert in writing structures and author of "Death by Cliché," joins Dan and Howard to demystify the three-act structure. They dive deep into Act 1, discussing character development and common pitfalls. The conversation shifts to the tension-filled Act 2, where they explore 'try-fail cycles' and how to keep audiences hooked through unexpected twists. Defendi emphasizes the importance of a strong denouement, providing closure to characters and viewers alike, while injecting humor throughout the discussion.