AmericanWriters.com -- Creative Writing Podcast.
Arts & Culture Podcasts
The show is designed to help writers of all levels. The focus is on characterization, narrative, plot development, dialogue, conflict, setting, literary archetypes, etc. Episodes are not centered around mindless, useless pep talks and recycled writing tips. Rather, the Podcast at AmericanWriters.com offers in-depth analysis of what works and what doesn't, with explanations and original writing samples.
Location:
United States
Description:
The show is designed to help writers of all levels. The focus is on characterization, narrative, plot development, dialogue, conflict, setting, literary archetypes, etc. Episodes are not centered around mindless, useless pep talks and recycled writing tips. Rather, the Podcast at AmericanWriters.com offers in-depth analysis of what works and what doesn't, with explanations and original writing samples.
Language:
English
Episodes
Writing 009 -- Characters of Tragedy and Redemption
7/29/2007
This episode looks at two different kinds of protagonists: the fallen and the redeemed. Each can evoke strong emotions in the reader and speak to the human condition. Properly handled, tragedies and redemption stories become very powerful character-driven pieces. If you listen to the podcast but have not yet subscribed for free, please consider doing so via iTunes or another aggregator. Visit AmericanWriters.com for details.
Duration:00:38:35
Writing 008 -- Writing Historical Fiction: Part 2
4/16/2007
We continue our discussion of how to write historical fiction. Toward that end, we examine what some established authors have done -- and we break the topic into three sections.
Duration:00:50:00
Writing Deus Ex Machina (Not!)
3/25/2007
Learn about Deus Ex Machina -- its pros and cons and how it can hurt fiction.
Duration:00:02:37
Motives Beneath Motives
3/6/2007
This episode doesn't just talk about what superficially motivates characters; it looks at the forces that need to stir at deeper levels.
Duration:00:03:29
Writing a Novel Prologue
2/4/2007
Many authors are disparaged for using prologues to start their novels -- but is it such a bad practice after all?
Duration:00:05:30
Writing 007 -- Writing Historical Fiction
1/8/2007
Whether you're writing Historical Fiction or utilizing history within your fiction, there are a handful of things you need to consider. This episode focuses on much of the theory, and we take a look at what writers of Historical Fiction have said about the genre. In the next episode, Writing 008, we will analyze what some of the more successful historical novels have done and experiment with some original passages.
Duration:00:34:16
Story, Narrative and What to Include
12/17/2006
Trim down your writing; think about what you should include in your narrative and what should you leave out. Also, learn the difference between story and narrative.
Duration:00:04:32
Writing, Ideology and Activism
11/18/2006
Many writers use their fiction as a form of activism. However, does it hurt the art form?
Duration:00:05:19
How People Read
11/4/2006
Learn about the four ways to approach reading a book.
Duration:00:02:35
The Subtle Dimensions of External Conflict
11/3/2006
Learn how external conflict can be written to underscore the turmoil brewing within the character's psyche.
Duration:00:01:22
Writing 006 -- Listener Letters (emphasis on approaching the novel)
10/29/2006
It's time to respond to some of your questions and comments. All the same, I can't help myself: I address one or two of them so heavily that I hijack my own show and give it a bona-fide theme. Among other things, I talk about how I approach writing my novel -- and while it's not my intention to say, "Hey, do it MY way," the discussion might somehow be helpful.
Duration:00:39:24
Quick Writing Tip 008 -- How Writing is like Painting
10/25/2006
Learn how writing is like painting a picture. However, this episode is not what you think; it has nothing to do with writing description. Give it a listen.
Duration:00:01:42
Quick Writing Tip 007 -- Be Consistent
9/24/2006
Make your characters consistent. Learn how things can easily go wrong.
Duration:00:01:32
Quick Writing Tip 006 -- Sacrifice for the Greatest Good
9/17/2006
Stop being so sentimental. If it serves your story, kill the characters you love.
Duration:00:01:00
Writing 005 -- Thoughts about Setting
9/13/2006
This time out, I talk about how setting can establish tone, bolster theme and give psychological dimension to your story.
Duration:00:31:30
AmericanWriters.com Podcast Promo
9/11/2006
Subscribe to the Podcast at AmericanWriters.com.
Duration:00:00:59
The Story or You?
9/8/2006
Step outside of yourself -- Stop making all your fiction thinly-veiled autobiography.
Duration:00:01:00
Writing 004 -- The Shadow in the Hero
9/3/2006
Ahh, yes. This is one of my favorite discussions when talking about writing. It goes well beyond the mundane, deeply into character and conflict analysis and into the psychological and archetypal. Without this useful dramatic device, your story can easily fall limp. You really need to check this one out as we will come back to the issue of the Shadow from time to time.
Duration:00:41:09
What's this Adverb Phobia all About?
8/30/2006
Should we be afraid of adverbs? Sometimes, yes. Listen to this and learn why.
Duration:00:01:56
Likeable Characters
8/27/2006
Okay, write that hateful character -- but make sure that he is loveable.
Duration:00:01:20