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Les and Jack on Writing - Uncensored

Arts & Culture Podcasts

Les Edgerton and Jack Holland discuss the writing of a publishable novel in a relaxed, chatty format. They saw the need for some real-life info on effective writing versus the cookie-cutter bumper sticker advice many podcasts are based on. Their advice is based on what works in the real world of publishing. Example: Write what you know. Bullshit, bumper sticker advice. Better: Write what you can convince the reader you know. If a writer followed the first piece of advice, chances are pretty good he or she would never write a book based in the far past or distant future… they couldn’t as they didn’t live then so they don’t know. Same applies to writing a murder mystery, a man writing as a woman and vice versa, and any other number of other instances. Therefore, it’s bullshit advice. But, if one writes a novel about a physician and their day job is selling hamburgers at Mickey D’s. and they’ve researched a doctor’s life and craft, they can probably pen a book that most readers (even including doctors) can accept as a true account. This is just one example of the bad and misleading writing advice that’s out there and is our raison d’ etre for this podcast. Jack Holland is a screenwriter, playwright and filmmaker. As a playwright, he has had thirty staged readings and a couple of productions in Los Angeles and New York. As a screenwriter, he has had a script optioned, worked as a script analyst for the Delaurentiis Company, worked as a script doctor on several independent projects, and developed various projects for Rhythm and Hues Studios. He also produced and directed several short films including the award winning GUILT KNOCKS which was featured at the Mata Hari film festival in Bonn, Germany. He is now working on his first novel. Les Edgerton is the author of 23 books, including the writing craft books, HOOKED and FINDING YOUR VOICE. He has taught creative writing at various universities, including UCLA, the University of Toledo, Vermont College and several others. He has conduced an online novel-writing class for over ten years from which over three dozen writers have published the books they wrote in class. He is also an ex-con which gives his crime novels a level of verisimilitude most other authors don’t enjoy. Jack and Les discuss in each episode the many examples of poor advice regularly trotted out to beginning writers. Plus, as a bonus, they’re often funny. And, often… not.

Location:

United States

Description:

Les Edgerton and Jack Holland discuss the writing of a publishable novel in a relaxed, chatty format. They saw the need for some real-life info on effective writing versus the cookie-cutter bumper sticker advice many podcasts are based on. Their advice is based on what works in the real world of publishing. Example: Write what you know. Bullshit, bumper sticker advice. Better: Write what you can convince the reader you know. If a writer followed the first piece of advice, chances are pretty good he or she would never write a book based in the far past or distant future… they couldn’t as they didn’t live then so they don’t know. Same applies to writing a murder mystery, a man writing as a woman and vice versa, and any other number of other instances. Therefore, it’s bullshit advice. But, if one writes a novel about a physician and their day job is selling hamburgers at Mickey D’s. and they’ve researched a doctor’s life and craft, they can probably pen a book that most readers (even including doctors) can accept as a true account. This is just one example of the bad and misleading writing advice that’s out there and is our raison d’ etre for this podcast. Jack Holland is a screenwriter, playwright and filmmaker. As a playwright, he has had thirty staged readings and a couple of productions in Los Angeles and New York. As a screenwriter, he has had a script optioned, worked as a script analyst for the Delaurentiis Company, worked as a script doctor on several independent projects, and developed various projects for Rhythm and Hues Studios. He also produced and directed several short films including the award winning GUILT KNOCKS which was featured at the Mata Hari film festival in Bonn, Germany. He is now working on his first novel. Les Edgerton is the author of 23 books, including the writing craft books, HOOKED and FINDING YOUR VOICE. He has taught creative writing at various universities, including UCLA, the University of Toledo, Vermont College and several others. He has conduced an online novel-writing class for over ten years from which over three dozen writers have published the books they wrote in class. He is also an ex-con which gives his crime novels a level of verisimilitude most other authors don’t enjoy. Jack and Les discuss in each episode the many examples of poor advice regularly trotted out to beginning writers. Plus, as a bonus, they’re often funny. And, often… not.

Language:

English


Episodes
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How to Create True Emotion

8/8/2023
Spoiler Alert: reveals about Lord of the Flies Les and Jack talk about how to create true emotion in novels and poems. They also talk about the following: Jack's work in progress. The importance of settings in a novel. The Island of the Sequined Love Nun written by Christopher Moore but which Les mistakenly attributes to another author, Tim Dorsey. https://www.amazon.com/Island-Sequined-Love-Christopher-Moore/dp/038097505X/ https://www.amazon.com/stores/Christopher-Moore/author/B000APFLHC https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001IGV64Y Also Discussed: Cargo Cults Sons of Anarchy Trees Lounge Mark Boone Junior Steve Buscemi Pipelines

Duration:01:19:24

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Outlining

7/23/2023
Les and Jack discuss Les's recommended method of outlining, the reasons for it, and examples. We also discuss melodrama, David Mamet, Music, Hollywood, Corky's progress, and sprouting wings.

Duration:01:25:17

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Scenes and Sequels

6/12/2023
Les and Jack go over and discuss scenes and sequels in fiction writing.

Duration:01:11:57

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Protagonists and Antagonists - Part Three

6/1/2023
This episode continues with protagonists and antagonists. It also touches on rattlesnakes, The Silence of the Lambs, The Great Gatsby, Thelma and Louise, and On The Waterfront. As well as Freeport, Texas.

Duration:00:28:03

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Protagonists and Antagonists - Part Two

5/16/2023
Les and Jack discuss antagonists and protagonists. They also cover the story problem that drives the protagonist and related issues.

Duration:00:52:09

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Protagonists and Antagonists - Part One

5/12/2023
Les and Jack discuss antagonists and protagonists. They also cover the story problem that drives the protagonist and related issues.

Duration:00:39:37

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Character Description and Story Pacing

5/1/2023
The first episode of Les and Jack talking about writing a novel. Areas covered include character description and story pacing.

Duration:00:27:29