Story Works Round Table with Alida Winternheimer | Conversations About Craft: Recent Episodes
Alida Winternheimer
Each week, co-hosts, Alida Winternheimer, author and writing coach at Word Essential, Kathryn Arnold, emerging writer, & Robert Scanlon, author of the Blood Empire series, have conversations about the craft of writing fiction. They bring diverse experiences and talents to the table from both the traditional and indie worlds.
Our goal is for each episode to be a fun, lively discussion of some aspect of story craft that enlightens, as well as entertains.
Sometimes we have special guests. All episodes are available in video as well. Visit www.StoryWorksPodcast.com for videos, show notes, and more.
In this episode of the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn talk with Stephanie Elizondo Griest, author of Art Above Everything. In this perspective changing conversation, we talk all about centering your life on art. We talk about the sometimes painful journey of being an art monk, and what it means to dedicate yourself to art creation. Join us as we talk about the journey Stephanie has taken to realizing that Art is Enough. And what Enough even means in this capitalistic culture we live in.
The Question: is Art Enough?
The answer: Yes.
Join us as we talk about why!
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
In this episode, Alida engages in a profound conversation with Jon Lurie as we explore the healing power of nature and the intricate journey of memoir writing. Jon shares insights from his two memoirs, including his epic canoe trip along the Red River with a young man named Jose, highlighting themes of personal growth, cultural identity, and the transformative experience of connecting with the natural world. Then he speaks to the healing power of nature in his own health journey. Join us for an inspiring discussion filled with adventure, reflection, and the importance of storytelling.
"Nature is a conduit to personal growth." - Jon Lurie
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
In this episode of the Story Works Round Table, we gather a diverse panel of writers to tackle the complex question: what makes writing objectively good? Join Alida Winternheimer, Kathryn Arnold, Mark Liebenow, Daniel Kleifgen, Liz Bird, Miriam Levi, and Monic Ductan as they explore the subjective nature of writing, the challenges of judgment, and the essential components that contribute to strong storytelling. With insights from experienced fiction and nonfiction writers, this discussion is rich with practical advice and personal anecdotes. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that dives into the heart of the writing craft!
"At the end of the day, it's whether a story has grabbed me, touched my heart." - Miriam Levi
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
In this episode of the Story Works Round Table, Alida Winternheimer and Kathryn Arnold sit down with J.E. Weiner, the author of the captivating novel The Wretched and Undone. This Southern Gothic tale, set in the Texas Hill Country, intertwines history and supernatural elements as it explores the immigrant experience during the American Civil War. Join us for a deep dive into the book's rich characters, the haunting themes of faith and family, and the fascinating historical research that brought this story to life. Whether you're a lover of historical fiction or simply curious about the creative process, this conversation is not to be missed!
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
In this week's episode of the Story Works Round Table, we welcome Bjorn Leesson, an author whose passion for history and the supernatural has culminated in his captivating series, Outside the Thalsparr. Join us as we explore the unique blend of Viking history and time travel, uncovering the fascinating role of women in Viking culture and the intricate world-building that brings Bjorn's characters to life. Discover how Bjorn weaves historical facts with fantasy elements, creating a narrative that spans 1200 years. This episode is a must-listen for fans of historical fiction and fantasy alike!
"You have to have the passion for it. If you're going to write historical fiction fantasy, but you're not a fan of history, don't do it." - Bjorn Leesson
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Visit WordEssential.com and book a discovery call today!
Visit WordEssential.com/fictioncoaching to get the details and sign up today!
Get book, workshop, & coaching news first + thoughts on writing & the writing life at A Room Full of Books & Pencils.
Join us at the Story Works Round Table as we welcome back the talented author Paulette Stout to talk about the art of writing spicy scenes. Join us as we explore how to craft intimate moments that enhance character development, tension, and narrative arcs, regardless of genre. Paulette shares her insights on the importance of emotional depth in intimate scenes and offers practical tips for writers looking to incorporate spice into their storytelling.
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Visit WordEssential.com and book a discovery call today!
Visit WordEssential.com/fictioncoaching to get the details and sign up today!
Get book, workshop, & coaching news first + thoughts on writing & the writing life at A Room Full of Books & Pencils.
Join us at the Story Works Round Table as we welcome back the talented author Paulette Stout to discuss her latest novel, What We Give Away. This captivating story tackles the often-taboo subject of body image and societal expectations surrounding weight. Paulette shares her insights on writing about sensitive topics while allowing readers to engage with the characters' journeys authentically. Join us as we explore the intersection of food, love, and self-acceptance, and discover how Paulette's personal experiences shaped her writing. Don’t miss this enlightening conversation!
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Visit WordEssential.com and book a discovery call today!
Visit WordEssential.com/fictioncoaching to get the details and sign up today!
Get book, workshop, & coaching news first + thoughts on writing & the writing life at A Room Full of Books & Pencils.
Join us at the Story Works Round Table for a fascinating discussion with YA authors K.T. Angelhart, Tricia Copeland, and C.C. Robinson as they explore the nuances of young adult fiction and the importance of character development. We talk about the universal appeal of Young Adult Fiction, the importance of relationships with teenage protagonists, and how to build the thematic resonance of young adult fiction.
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Visit WordEssential.com and book a discovery call today!
Visit WordEssential.com/fictioncoaching to get the details and sign up today!
Get book, workshop, & coaching news first + thoughts on writing & the writing life at A Room Full of Books & Pencils.
Join us at the Story Works Round Table for an insightful conversation about Memoir with special guests Candace MacPhie author of Finding Color, Randi-Lee Bowslaugh author of Good-bye too Soon, Dr. Roger Leslie author of Light Come Out of the Closet, and Michael Hingson author of Live Like A Guide Dog.
From taking a piece of your own life and crafting it into a story, to the challenges of examining your life in such a vulnerable way, discover how to craft a compelling story from your own experiences.
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Visit WordEssential.com and book a discovery call today!
Visit WordEssential.com/fictioncoaching to get the details and sign up today!
Get book, workshop, & coaching news first + thoughts on writing & the writing life at A Room Full of Books & Pencils.
Join us at the Story Works Round Table as we sit down with Alethea Lyons, author of the supernatural dark fantasy Seer of York series, published by Brigids Gate Press. She writes various forms of SFF, with a particular love for science-fantasy, dark fantasy, dystopias, and folklore. We talk about the particular challenges facing writers of series and sequels.
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Visit WordEssential.com and book a discovery call today!
Visit WordEssential.com/fictioncoaching to get the details and sign up today!
Get book, workshop, & coaching news first + thoughts on writing & the writing life at A Room Full of Books & Pencils.
Sarah Branson joins us at the Story Works Round Table to talk about getting to know your characters. We dig into the different roles characters play, depending on their relationship to the protagonist and how well we need to know them in order to write them well. Sarah's novel, North Country, is available now.
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Visit WordEssential.com and book a discovery call today!
Visit WordEssential.com/fictioncoaching to get the details and sign up today!
Get book, workshop, & coaching news first + thoughts on writing & the writing life at A Room Full of Books & Pencils.
Join us at the Story Works Round Table for far-ranging, philosophical, and fun conversation about science fiction with special guests Brad C Anderson, author of Duatero,
Mark Morton, author of The Headmasters, Lance Robinson, one of the winners of the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future contest, and Kristina Rienzi, author of Among Us. From dystopias to conspiracy to environmental collapse, discover how these stories mirror our reality and spark imagination.
Get Alida's Action Scene series of craft posts in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Visit WordEssential.com and book a discovery call today!
Visit WordEssential.com/fictioncoaching to get the details and sign up today!
Get book, workshop, & coaching news first + thoughts on writing & the writing life at A Room Full of Books & Pencils.
This week's Story Works Round Table features Chindia Ilonka, the visionary leader and author of Quantum Rebel. Discover how to align with your soul, harness your intuitive creativity, and achieve transformative results in your writing. Chindia shares her journey of self-discovery and offers practical insights on cultivating a deeper connection with your inner voice. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to evolve, inspire, and thrive. Listen now and unleash your potential!
"Writing is an invitation to go deeper and expand into a more true essence of who you are." - Chindia Ilonka
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Visit WordEssential.com/fictioncoaching to get the details and sign up today!
Get book, workshop, & coaching news first + thoughts on writing & the writing life at A Room Full of Books & Pencils.
Are you ready to journey through the captivating world of folklore? This week on the Story Works Round Table podcast, Alida has the pleasure of sitting down with Mike Bass, a distinguished folklorist and printmaker, whose artistry is as intriguing as the stories he tells. Growing up in a house teeming with spirits, Mike's fascination with the supernatural and the macabre has shaped his work, resulting in a unique blend of art and storytelling that captures the imagination.
Throughout the conversation, Mike and Alida explore the evolution of folklore, discussing the differences between traditional and modern tales. They delve into the role of folklore in reflecting societal values and fears, examining how stories evolve as they traverse cultural and temporal boundaries. Mike's insights into the intersection of folklore and art reveal the enduring power of storytelling in shaping our understanding of the world.
Whether you're an art enthusiast, folklore aficionado, or simply curious about the mysterious and the macabre, this episode promises to be a captivating exploration of the stories that shape us. Don't forget to visit storyworkspodcast.com to view Mike's prints and connect with his work. Happy listening!
"As we know in folklore, the ability to put a name and a face on something sort of takes away the power of it." - Mike Bass
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Visit WordEssential.com and book a discovery call today!
Get book, workshop, & coaching news first + thoughts on writing & the writing life at A Room Full of Books & Pencils.
Discover how Sarah Branson blends her experiences as a midwife and science teacher into her speculative fiction series featuring a flying pirate protagonist. Join us for a deep dive into world-building and character development on this week's Story Works Round table.
"When you have a protagonist that lives in your head, who is armed and is a pirate, you do whatever she says." - Sarah Branson
Join Alida on December 9th for a virtual author event, A Stone's Throw. Register at https://wordessential.com/events/a-stones-throw/
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Visit WordEssential.com and book a discovery call today!
Visit WordEssential.com/fictioncoaching to get the details and sign up today!
Get book, workshop, & coaching news first + thoughts on writing & the writing life at A Room Full of Books & Pencils.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn continue our conversation with Ben Hawken, author of the new novel "Chandelier." In part two of our conversation, we discuss looking for the next story, processing ideas, writing dialogue and getting characters into conversation as fully formed people, and more! Ben shares his remarkable journey from a career in marketing and speech writing to writing his debut book. Learn how he balanced life, work, and writing to achieve his creative dreams.
Book Club & Author Event: Join Alida in conversation about her novel, A Stone's Throw on December 9. Register at: https://wordessential.com/events/a-stones-throw/
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Visit WordEssential.com and book a discovery call today!
Visit WordEssential.com/fictioncoaching to get the details and sign up today!
Get book, workshop, & coaching news first + thoughts on writing & the writing life at A Room Full of Books & Pencils.
Join us for an insightful episode of Story Works Round Table as we welcome Grishma Shah. Grishma shares the journey of crafting her novel, Anagram Destiny. Inspired by her upbringing as the daughter of Indian immigrants and her expertise in culture and globalization, it's a reverse immigration story that explores the Indian American dream, cultural shifts, and the power of storytelling. Discover how personal experiences and historical events like 9/11 shape her narrative, and why fiction can resonate deeper than nonfiction. Don't miss this compelling conversation about identity, home, and the universal themes of love and loss.
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Visit Word Essential to learn about the Novel Journey and schedule your free discovery call today!
Register for the fall series of creative writing workshops with Alida Winternheimer at www.wordessential.com/events.
Read A Stone's Throw today and begin your journey into art, love, and magic! Get it on Amazon.
Just in time for Halloween, the Story Works Round Table brings you a special episode featuring five incredible authors of ghost stories: Gabi Coatsworth, Paulette Kennedy, Jan Heidrich-Rice, Sandra Young, and Alida Winternheimer. Dive into the art of crafting paranormal tales, explore the inspiration behind these haunting narratives, and learn about the unique rules that govern their ghostly worlds. Plus, discover their upcoming events and workshops perfect for getting your literary boo on this spooky season. Don't miss out on this fascinating conversation—listen now!
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Visit Word Essential to learn about the Novel Journey and schedule your free discovery call today!
Register for the fall series of creative writing workshops with Alida Winternheimer at www.wordessential.com/events.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn sit down with Ben Hawken, author of the new novel "Chandelier." Ben shares his remarkable journey from a career in marketing and speech writing to writing his debut book. Learn how he balanced life, work, and writing to achieve his creative dreams. Ben offers insights into story structure, the art of dialogue, and practical tips for aspiring writers. Whether you're looking to start your own writing journey or curious about the creative process, this episode is packed with inspiration and advice. Tune in now to hear Ben's story and get motivated to pursue your own creative passions!
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Register for the fall series of creative writing workshops with Alida Winternheimer at www.wordessential.com/events.
Read A Stone's Throw today and begin your journey into art, love, and magic! Get it on Amazon.
Visit Word Essential to learn about the Novel Journey and schedule your free discovery call today!
In this week's Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn delve into the often daunting world of revision. Join them as they explore the mindset shifts necessary to tackle revisions without feeling overwhelmed. They discuss the importance of understanding that revision doesn't mean starting from scratch but rather making thoughtful adjustments to enhance your story. They share personal struggles and breakthroughs with revision, offering valuable insights and practical tips for writers facing similar challenges. Tune in to learn how to approach your manuscript with confidence and a clear plan, transforming the revision process into a manageable and even enjoyable part of your writing journey.
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Register for the fall series of creative writing workshops with Alida Winternheimer at www.wordessential.com/events.
Read A Stone's Throw today and begin your journey into art, love, and magic! Get it on Amazon.
Sign up for this season's writing workshops and group coaching sessions at www.WordEssential.com.
Feedback is an essential part of the writing journey, but it can also be one of the most challenging aspects to navigate.
In this week's episode of Story Works Round Table, Kathryn and Alida delve into the intricacies of receiving and giving feedback, offering valuable insights and practical advice for writers at all stages of their careers. One of the key takeaways from the episode is the importance of discerning useful feedback from less helpful critiques. Not all feedback is created equal, and it's crucial to find critique partners who understand your goals and can provide constructive criticism that aligns with your vision.
Get Alida's novel, A Stone's Throw, here.
Join Alida's fall series of writing workshops on backstory, writing tension, even fear, that gets your reader feeling it, and weaving together character, plot, and theme. Go to www.wordessential.com/events.
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Register for the fall series of creative writing workshops with Alida Winternheimer at www.wordessential.com/events.
Read A Stone's Throw today and begin your journey into art, love, and magic! Get it on Amazon.
Sign up for this season's writing workshops and group coaching sessions at www.WordEssential.com.
his week at the Story Works Round Table podcast, Alida and Kathryn explore the power of sensory details in writing with award-winning author Paulette Stout. Join us as we discuss how to bring scenes to life through sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. Paulette shares insights into her writing process, her latest work, and how she uses sensory details to build vivid, immersive worlds.
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Paulette Stout: https://www.paulettestout.com/
Read A Stone's Throw today and begin your journey into art, love, and magic! Get it on Amazon.
Sign up for this season's writing workshops and group coaching sessions at www.WordEssential.com.
This week, the Story Works Round Table is turned: Alida is interviewed by guest host, Lainey Cameron, award-winning author, podcaster, and book marketing expert.
They discuss writing without genre in mind, starting with a vision only described as magical realism. Alida's novel, A Stone's Throw, explores themes of relationships, and motherhood, while highlighting the complexities of artistic identity and validation and the transformative power of community.
Lainey asks Alida about her inspiration, process, and the roles of creativity and community in her life and work.
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Sign up for this season's writing workshops and group coaching sessions at www.WordEssential.com.
This week at the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn talk transitions. What are the good, bad, and better ways to keep your readers reading past narrative breaks? We want to create bridges over that white space, whether it’s a scene, chapter, or part break, no matter who, when, or where shifts on the other side.
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week at the Story Works Round Table, Alida shares 6 powerful tips that will help you get your personal story down on the page. Whether you're writing for yourself, family, or the wide world of readers, these 6 things will help you clear the hurdles that make it hard to start telling your story.
Alida's latest essay was just published in Passengers Journal.
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week, Alida and Kathryn welcome Paula Sheridan back to the Round Table to discuss her new project, Finding Penrose.
Paula's novel has already captured the hearts of celebrities, plus the media, with 100's of articles already published. And with two renowned film producers adapting Penrose's story for the big screen, they're now in talks with a Hollywood director and actors.
This heart-warming and captivating tale is based on the real-life story of Penrose Matsile, a young boy in 1922 Colonial Africa who was stolen from his village and forced into a life of slavery. Despite the unimaginable odds, Penrose spent his entire life courageously fighting to reclaim his identity and freedom.
We're excited to share Penrose's story with you, and my fellow author, Paula Sheridan, would be honored to have you join her on this incredible book-to-film journey through her exclusive launch campaign. Paula shares with us why she chose to fund this project herself--with community backing--instead of putting it in the hands of producers and risk the integrity of Penrose's story.
Check out Paula's Kickstarter campaign to support Penrose's journey!
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week at the Story Works Round Table, five authors sit down to talk women's fiction. Alida Winternheimer is joined by D. Liebhart, Heidi McIntyre, Amanda Speights, and Jen Telger to discuss their genre and their stories. There is a lot more to women's fiction than strong female characters or women authors. The diversity of the genre makes it distinct from other genres, keeping the writer's hands unbound by conventions or reader expectations. Though writing stories that range from historical to magical realism to contemporary and medical, they have a lot in common...especially a deep commitment to realism and their characters' emotional journeys.
Find all of the authors' bios and books links in the show notes at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week, Alida and Kathryn discuss writing with whimsey. Whimsical writing can add humor and charm to writing, but it's not only for children's stories. Lighthearted, quirky, and funny moments add levity to otherwise serious or dark tales. After this week's episode, you might just find yourself writing whimsically.
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn talk dialogue. We've noticed what may be some poor advice and some frightening trends in dialogue floating around out there. Time to bust some myths and pop some speech balloons!
- How should dialogue be formatted and how does it differ from interiority and thoughts?
- When and why does it make sense to honor trusted conventions?
- How would "experimentation" work in the voice of AI?
We draw on the past two Writers Book Club short stories for examples of dialogue, interiority, and narrative point of view. There is a lot of craft to unpack in this week's episode, a bit of silliness, and a writing prompt, too!
"Dialogue is an art form all in and of itself. So be aware of what you're putting on the page."
"Dialogue should reveal something to the reader."
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that novel done faster? Do you want community, feedback, and mentoring? Check out group coaching for novelists. New Summer Session begins May 29. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn discuss Chekhov's story, "The Woman with the Little Dog." You can get the link to read it in the show notes.
"Everything that he found important, interesting, necessary, in which he was sincere and did not deceive himself, which constituted the core of his life, occurred in secret from others." -Chekhov
Unpack the layers of Anton Chekhov's poignant short story, "The Lady with the Little Dog," in this thought-provoking episode of Story Works Round Table. Alida and Kathryn dissect the narrative's exploration of love, regret, and societal imprisonment. As they navigate through the characters internal struggles and the story's critique of marital conventions, listeners are invited to consider depth of character emotion, subtext, and presenting social commentary through story.
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, to grow your writing skills, and get that novel done faster? Do you want community, feedback, and mentoring? Check out group coaching for novelists. New Summer Session begins at the end of May. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Get Alida's reflections on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn discuss Gina Berriault's short story, "The Woman in the Rose Colored Dress." At only 2 1/2 pages, it packs in remarkable sentences, the experience of time passing, incredible subtext in minimal dialogue, and a realistic coming of age story when a girl makes a discovery about her father that shifts her understanding of the world. Get the link in our show notes to read the story yourself.
Join my new group coaching session for writers. Get your free discovery call today: www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Carlee, and Robert go deep with the question of what makes a genre a genre? Discover the nuances of crafting stories and targeting the right readership. We dissect the concept of genre as both a craft and marketing tool. It's far more useful to us writers than just a marketing category. Writing to market is often confused with marketing. And what about those of us who strive to be "pure artists," putting categories at the end of the process? Whether you aim to meet or subvert reader expectations, there's more to your genre than meets the eye.
"Genre determines what the story is trying to do."
"If you get lost in a story and you're not quite sure where you're taking it, it's often because you're not clear on genre."
This is an episode from our library, formerly published as #184.
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, to grow your writing skills, and get that novel done faster? Do you want community, feedback, and mentoring? Check out group coaching for novelists. New Summer Session begins at the end of May. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn are joined by D. Liebhart.
Revision is more than just fixing typos and filling plot holes; it's about delving deep into the heart of the story and ensuring every word, every character, and every twist aligns with the author's vision. D. discusses the challenges she faced revising her award-winning novel, House on Fire, from seeking perfection to knowing when to let go. We talk about the importance of actionable feedback, the dynamics of writing groups, and the critical decision to step away when the process no longer serves the story.
Whether you're a seasoned author or just starting, this episode is packed with wisdom. D.'s experiences remind us that the journey of revision is unique to every writer. It's a process that requires patience, honesty, and sometimes the courage to start anew.
"Revision is how you make something worth reading."
"You're the final arbiter of what goes in that book and what's meaningful to say."
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, to grow your writing skills, and get that novel done faster? Do you want community, feedback, and mentoring? Check out group coaching for novelists. New sessions begin in 2024. Schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
#WritingTips #AuthorLife #Revision
"It's never too early to start thinking about marketing and building your community. It's never too early. It can be too late."
Ever thought it's too early to market your book? Think again! Alexa Bigwarfe shares her wisdom on today's Story Works Round Table, in a conversation that's as inspiring as it is informative.
Marketing, as Alexa says, is not just about selling books. It's about building relationships with readers, sharing your journey, and creating a platform where your voice can be heard. It's about laying the groundwork for your book to not just exist, but to thrive in a market that's flooded with content.
With Alexa's guidance, you'll feel empowered to tackle marketing head-on. She makes the task less daunting and more like an exciting new chapter in your author career.
- Join me at the Women in Publishing Summit to grow your publishing, marketing, & networking skills while building your author community! Link in this week's show notes.
- Are you ready to get more out of your writing, to grow your writing skills, and get that novel done faster? Do you want community, feedback, and mentoring? Check out group coaching for novelists. New sessions begin in 2024. Schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
- Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com
- Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com/292.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn discover the compelling intersection of personal experience and fiction on this week's writing podcast. D. Leibhart joins us to share her journey writing her award-winning novel, House on Fire, and the art of turning life into literature. Join us for a conversation about craft and the complexities of writing stories based on personal experiences.
Join me at the Women in Publishing Summit! Get your ticket to the biggest 4-day, online conference for women authors.
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, to grow your writing skills, and get that novel done faster? Do you want community, feedback, and mentoring? Check out group coaching for novelists. New sessions begin in 2024. Schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn welcome screenwriter Tim Auld back to the round table to discuss heroes.
What makes a hero resonate with an audience? Tim Auld introduces us to the concept of ordinary heroism, a principle that suggests heroes should be inherently inadequate to the challenges they face. It's this inadequacy, this underdog status, that endears them to us and makes their journey emotionally gripping. He illustrates this point with a powerful image: an orangutan striking a crane with a stick, a futile yet emotionally charged act of defiance. It's a metaphor for the kind of heroism that Tim believes should be at the heart of storytelling.
Throughout the conversation, Tim emphasizes the importance of allowing heroes to fail and suffer. It's through their trials and tribulations that we, the audience, find a piece of ourselves, empathizing with their struggle and rooting for their success. He also touches on the current trends in storytelling, where characters are often portrayed as too perfect, too idealized, which can disconnect them from the audience.
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, to grow your writing skills, and get that novel done faster? Do you want community, feedback, and mentoring? Check out group coaching for novelists. New sessions begin in 2024. Schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida & Kathryn welcome screenwriter Tim Auld to the Story Works Round Table to discuss the trend in film and literature toward didactic writing, when the (often moral) message of a piece overpowers the story trying to be told. Why is this still happening when audiences are weary of it? What about writing a message-focused story—is there a right way to do it?
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, to grow your writing skills, and get that novel done faster? Do you want community, feedback, and mentoring? Check out group coaching for novelists. New sessions begin in 2024. Schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn discuss the relationship between stakes and agency. How do these aspects of plot and character work together to create forward drive in your story?
This episode is from our library. It was previously published as episode 73.
Show notes and more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, to grow your writing skills, and get that novel done faster? Do you want community, feedback, and mentoring? Check out group coaching for novelists. New sessions begin in 2024. Schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Do you have a project in need of a ghost writer? I'd love to hear from you! www.wordessential.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn talk about creating character arcs. Most characters won't utterly transform from villain to hero, like our friend Scrooge, but shift needs to happen. Our character and plot arcs are married. The internal character arc is played out in the external plot arc. Identifying your character's shift is a great way to engineer your arc.
Happy New Year! We'll see you in 2024!
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, to grow your writing skills, and get that novel done faster? Do you want community, feedback, and mentoring? Check out group coaching for novelists. A new session begins in May. www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn tackle a holiday classic, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Most of us have seen the story dramatized annually, whether on television or in the theatre. But how many of us have actually read it? It was my first time and I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. No surprise, however, Dickens packs this tale with more than good cheer. There is a lot to examine as writers, lessons that we can carry into our craft year round.
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, to grow your writing skills, and get that novel done faster? Do you want community, feedback, and mentoring? Check out group coaching for novelists. A new session begins in May. www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Do you have a project in need of a ghost writer? I'd love to hear from you! www.wordessential.com.
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com
This week, Alida and Kathryn solve the world's problems with one simple, three-part edict.
We're kidding, but we're kind of not. Writing and reading are all about building empathetic connections with people who are nothing like ourselves. As such, writers are gifted with a truly great responsibility.
Share this episode and a book with the people you love.
If you're in the States, Happy Thanksgiving! Wherever you are, I am grateful for every single person who takes the time to listen to one another.
Subscribe to A Room Full of Books & Pencils and receive 21 Reasons to Pause, a series of writing prompts and tips.
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Do you have a project in need of a ghost writer? I'd love to hear from you! www.wordessential.com.
This week, Alida and Kathryn welcome Dr. Martha Highers to the Writers Book Club to discuss "Naming My Father," a personal essay that won the Under the Sun summer writing contest. Martha is an editor at Under the Sun. not only do we talk as reader-writers, we get an insightful behind the scenes glimpse of the selection and editorial process for this wonderful essay about growing up the child of an autistic parent before anyone understood autism.
Subscribe to A Room Full of Books & Pencils and receive 21 Reasons to Pause, a series of writing prompts and tips.
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Do you have a project in need of a ghost writer? I'd love to hear from you! www.wordessential.com.
This week at the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn discuss characterization, with examples from a short story by Junot Díaz. They analyze how Díaz introduces characters through the narrator's perspective, using just a few sharp details to create vivid impressions of complex people are are inspired to re-examine their own character descriptions.
Hear the latest from A Room Full of Books & Pencils, “Does Reading Make Us Better People?”
Show notes and more: https://storyworkspodcast.com
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, to grow your writing skills, and get that novel done faster? Do you want community, feedback, and mentoring? Check out group coaching. www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
This week at the Story Works Round Table, listener and fellow writer Dave sits down with Alida and Kathryn to discuss the short story by Junot Diaz, "Fiesta, 1980." We're amazed by how much tension Diaz packs into this story about a family gathering, as well as his incredible voice, imagery, and metaphors.
Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Do you have a project in need of a ghost writer? I'd love to hear from you! www.wordessential.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn discuss bookending a story with a prologue and epilogue. Bookends can't just be tacked on; they need to be essential to the reader's understanding of whole story.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Read A Room Full of Books & Pencils, ruminations on the essential, stories, & storycraft at booksandpencils.substack.com.
This week we're back from summer break with a new season and a new format. In addiction to the regular conversations about craft, we'll be reading a short prose text each month and discussing it as writers. Would you like to join the book club? Next month we're talking about Junot Diaz' short story "Fiesta 1980."
This week, we delve into Edith Wharton's brilliant novella, Ethan Frome. What makes this work enduring? What can we learn by reading it and possibly emulate in our own writing? Prepare to be amazed.
I suggest you read the story before listening if you aren't already familiar with it. We spoil everything, because that's the only way to benefit from a conversation about the writing behind this truly great American story.
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
Learn about coaching with Alida.
Join the Writers Circle free office hour.
Story Works Round Table is back next month with some exciting new shows!
This week I've got an update or two and writers discuss the benefits of group coaching--come, be a fly on the wall!
- Check out A Room Full of Books & Pencils https://booksandpencils.substack.com/
- SWRT September reading: Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
- SWRT October reading: Fiesta 1980 by Junot Diaz
- Writers Group Coaching: https://wordessential.com/writingcoach/
- Writers Circle free office hour: https://wordessential.com/events/
Want to sit at the round table? Reach out and let us know!
This week, Alida and Kathryn welcome Adrienne Young and Isabel Ibañez to the Story Works Round Table to chat about their new book, The Storyteller's Workbook. This is a novelist's dream tool and you're going to want to get your hands on a copy - just ask Kathryn! We get into everything, from the beautiful design and feel of the paper (it really does matter) to the myriad tools to sections on revision and publication that Adrienne and Isabel packed inside one book cover...all for you.
If you love storytelling, pull up a chair at the Round Table!
You've invested countless hours on your manuscript, and now it's time to invest your writing and yourself. Join a small, select group of your peers in novelist's group coaching. Receive mentoring from an expert writing coach while finishing your novel at an accellerated pace. Schedule your discovery call with Alida today. www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida & Kathryn discuss the process of outlining. There is more to talk about than we might first think. Why is outlining useful? How should we go about it to make sure it's a time saver and not a time waster? Does it help to outline more than once in the writing process?
Outlining (or storyboarding) is a great way to assess the story you're writing before and during the lengthy process of novel drafting. The more experienced a writer you are, the more valuable the tool seems to be!
Are you ready to get more out of your writing, to grow your writing skills, and get that novel done faster? Do you want community, feedback, and mentoring? Check out group coaching for novelists. A new session begins in May. www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching
If you enjoyed this craft tip, please give it a thumbs up, share, and say hello. I love hearing from you!
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida has Paula Sheridan of the Page Turner Awards joining me at the Round Table to discuss contests. We talk the reasons for entering contests, what judges look for, and getting your manuscript in shape before placing it in judge’s hands.
I’m especially excited about today’s show, because Paula founded the Page Turner Awards. She and her husband, Ken, are doing something unique—at least I’ve never of heard of it being done before.
They are bridging the traditional and indie worlds, holding an annual contest for writers of all stripes and any genre in one place. Not only that, a trophy is nice and a gold seal on your cover does boost sales, but how about winning a mentorship with a developmental editor? How about winning your book being adapted to audio or a screenplay?
Visit www.storyworkspodcast.com to grab Paula's gifts to Story Works Round Table listeners and get links to all the great craft episodes you'll want to get your work in shape for the judges!
Fiction Group Coaching new session begins in May. Schedule a discovery call with Alida today. www.wordessential.com/editing/coach.
This week's Story Works Writing Tip is all about traits: Make your character traits significant to your story...and here's why and how.
A new session of Fiction Group Coaching begins in May. Got a novel in a drawer? Stuck in the middle of a project? Want to improve your craft while fixing a project in a small group of select peers with a mentor? Set up a discovery call today: www.wordessential.com/editing/coach
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Kathryn turns the table on Alida. We talk "things we say," all those bits and bobbles of craft speak that get tossed around but not always defined. What does it mean to be tightly plotted? Does every character need a lie or core wound, and are those the same thing?
I have a new session of fiction group coaching beginning soon. This is a special opportunity for writers with a solid grasp of novel writing who are ready to greatly improve their writing skills in a small group of peers with me as your mentor. Each session is three months with biweekly calls. Group size is limited so every member gets time each call to address their story craft questions and discuss their work in progress. Writers in last year’s coaching group have been amazed by the progress they make by having the chance to solve problems as they go, instead of waiting for full draft feedback. The amount of support, encouragement, and accountability is immense. If you’ve got a work in progress, a manuscript getting musty in a drawer, or a complete draft with some problem spots you’d like to dive into, all while becoming a better writer through mentorship and peer support, go to:
www.WordEssential.com/editing/coach
This week, Alida & Kathryn welcome Kavita Das to the Story Works Round Table. Kavita has a new book out, Craft & Conscience, all about writing that is concerned with social issues. And really, what writing isn't in one way or another getting at the aspects of being human and being human together that could use some work? This conversation is equally beneficial for fiction and nonfiction writers.
This is part 2 of our conversation with Kavita.
Visit her at www.kavitadas.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week's Story Works Writing Tip is all about openings. You need to pack a lot into your opening, just don't throw in the kitchen sink!
If you enjoyed this craft tip, please give it a thumbs up, share, and say hello. I love hearing from you!
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida & Kathryn welcome Kavita Das to the Story Works Round Table. Kavita has a new book out, called Craft & Conscience, all about writing that is concerned with social issues. And really, what writing isn't in one way or another getting at the aspects of being human and being human together that could use some work? This conversation is equally beneficial for fiction and nonfiction writers.
Craft and Conscience delves into topics including parsing our motivations for writing about social issues, understanding the relationship between the writer, reader, and subject, balancing narrative and context, differences between writing about social issues from an outside or inside perspective, writing opinion editorial pieces, understanding the importance of cultural sensitivity and avoiding cultural appropriation, and considering the implications (positive and negative) of writing about social issues to others and to ourselves. I'm happy to have a wide-ranging conversation or to delve more deeply into one or more of these topics.
Beacon Press author Kavita Das, whose book Craft and Conscience: How to Write About Social Issues was released this fall. Das describes Craft and Conscience as "the guidance she wished she’d had as an emerging writer," and the book offers key lessons, reflections, frameworks, and considerations for writing effectively about hot-button issues. Das herself has taught nonfiction writing at the New School and Catapult and has written about social issues for ten years. Previously, she worked in the social change sector for fifteen years, addressing issues ranging from community and housing inequities to public health disparities and racial injustice. Das is also the author of the biography Poignant Song: The Life and Music of Lakshmi Shankar.
Find Kavita Das at www.kavitadas.com
Show notes and more at www.storyworkspodcast.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn mention unmentionables. We have a clean conversation about the craft of writing our characters' intimate moments. How much should go on the page? What guidelines can help us decide when to show more or less of the skin in the game? What are the qualities of a good sex scene and how do we know we got it right?
Creative writing workshops at www.StoryWorksFiction.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week's Story Works Writing Tip is all about supporting characters' relationships. Use them to give a boost to your protagonist's arc!
If you enjoyed this craft tip, please give it a thumbs up, share, and say hello. I love hearing from you!
Creative writing workshops at www.StoryWorksFiction.com.
This week, Alida and Kathryn talk about ending chapters so that readers can't wait to "jump the gap" and get on with the next one. What kind of end-hooks work and how? Do we instinctively know where to place our chapter breaks? Is there a formula to follow? Or maybe the story guides us? When not to use an epigraph before your chapters, and more!
Creative writing workshops at www.StoryWorksFiction.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
We have a special gift for you this holiday season!
We’ll be spending extra time with our families this holiday season, but will be back with all new podcast episodes in January 2023. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a single one.
Listen to this short message for your special gift.
Happy Holidays and happy writing from Story Works Round Table!
This episode previously aired as 061.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert character motivation. It’s crucial to every element of your story and you’ll do yourself a favor by having a handle on it in the prewriting stages. We talk about the protagonist, the reader, and you, the writer. Also, how motivation relates to flaws and conflicts, and how a series differs from a standalone.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table: conversations about craft, Kathryn and Alida discuss writing backstory. It’s been coming up for both of us lately, including in Alida's fiction coaching group. What is the one critical element to getting it right? How do you successfully transition your narrative into and out of backstory? Want a great example of a great author deftly handling backstory? We got one!
Show notes and links at www.storyworkspodcast.com
Writing Workshops at www.storyworksfiction.com
This week on the Story Works Writing Tip, Alida talks twists. Plot twists aren't all about the plot, they're really about...
Show notes and more at www.storyworkspodcast.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida & Kathryn discuss what to do with your villain in act II. As we know, they aren't usually black-hat-evil-doers, but we still need an escalation of stakes for our protagonist. How do we keep act II moving along at a good pace, whether our villain is a bad person or a force or situation in our character's lifethat causes challenges? We look at multiple scenarios for our heroes and what to do to keep them and the villain rising toward the climax.
This episode will be linked in the show notes to all related episodes in the library.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
In this week's Story Works Writing Tip, Alida defines agency and describes active and passive protagonists. Agency is about character as much as plot.
If you enjoyed this craft tip, please give it a thumbs up, share, and say hello. I love hearing from you!
Creative writing workshops at www.StoryWorksFiction.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
If Halloween inspired you get your Boo! on, this episode of the Story Works Round Table is for you. Alida and Kathryn talk the craft of scaring the pants off your readers. But this isn’t just a skill for horror writers. We all need to write scenes from time to time full of dramatic suspense, an eerie mood, or dark twists. Loaded with examples and how-to, you’re sure to be ready to write scary!
Let us know what you learned from this episode, what you liked, what you have questions on. Suggest a topic for future episodes. And if you think you’d be a good co-host, let us know!
Get the Scary Monsters & Super Creeps writing workshop at www.StoryWorksFiction.com
This week on the Story Works Writing Tip, Alida talks about writing natural sounding dialogue without falling into the trap of writing like we speak.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss character agency. In this, Robert's final episode as a co-host, he brought us the question of what to do with a character who is kept "on the back foot"? How do you write a protagonist with agency when the hero is in a position that seemingly rules out taking charge? This episode will be linked in the show notes to all related episodes in the library.
Would you like to be considered as the next co-host on the Story Works Round Table? Drop me a line!
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week on Story Works Writing Tips, Alida talks backstory. There are 3 primary ways to introduce backstory into your now-story. Use them all for variety and according to the demands of the specific scenes within your story.
Creative writing workshops at www.StoryWorksFiction.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Rober answer a listener's question about writing humor into our stories. Is comedy just a special gift some writers have and the rest of us don't? Or are there things we can craft to make our story moments funny?
Join us as we explore the topic and let us know your favorite funny authors as well as how you handle comedic moments in your writing. Share in the comments below. We'd love to hear from you!
Do you have a question or topic you'd like us to explore? Let us know. We'd be happy to!
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Creative writing workshops at www.StoryWorksFiction.com.
In this week's Story Works Writing Tip, Alida discusses trouble and it's role in your story's arc. Story Works Writing Tips are bite-sized lessons ready to improve your story craft today. Listen. Digest. Write!
The Story Works Round Table and Story Works Writing Tips alternate weeks to make sure you're never without conversations about craft.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Creative writing workshops at www.StoryWorksFiction.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss all the ways reading widely benefits you as a writer. There is so much more to be gained from reading as a writer than reading as a reader. Kathryn attests that her story craft has improved by reading beyond her favorite genre. How has reading improved your storytelling? What are the pitfalls to avoid when shopping for books? How can you find the books with the scenes that will deliver the help you need as a writer?
Would you like to join the Story Works Round Table? We're looking for a new co-host! Listen to this week's show to learn more.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week I am excited to bring you something all new. As you know, the Story Works Round Table is bi-weekly, but I’d hate for you to miss a healthy dose of story craft in those in-between weeks, so I’ve got short, sweet writing tips for you alternating with the Round Table podcast. This week, I talk about plot and the short story. Enjoy!
www.storyworkspodcast.com
Want to work with a writing coach? www.wordessential.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn get physical (and you won’t believe the scenes that get Robert in trouble!). When you need your characters to do something involving specific bodily movements, how can you create choreography that delivers the precise image you want in the reader’s mind, then move beyond choreography to create a felt experience in your reader’s body?
Do you have a WIP that would benefit from group coaching? Check out Alida’s fall session and join us today! https://wordessential.com/fictiongroupcoaching/
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert dig into Act II. If this sounds familiar:
Robert: A big problem is that when you dream up your story, you have this amazing sense of, I just thought this amazing thing is going to happen to this character and then how it's all going to end. Okay, but there's 50% of your novel, which I just haven't thought about yet. I think for many of us, it's being able to slow down, tease apart the problem, and introduce all of the complications that are required to then deliver that delicious climax that is really satisfying to the reader.
Kathryn: Yeah, we have this big empty gap, like, just tell me what to put in here, please.
...sit back and join the Round Table as we talk about "what to put in here, please!"
Join Group Coaching at www.WordEssential.com/fictiongroupcoaching
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss using a non-protagonist as your point of view character. What pitfalls does a writer face in doing this? Will readers engage with a witness POV? And if the POV character does not have stakes in the action, what then? This topic came to us from a listener's question and made for a juicy craft conversation!
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss using a non-protagonist as your point of view character. What pitfalls does a writer face in doing this? Will readers engage with a witness POV? And if the POV character does not have stakes in the action, what then? This topic came to us from a listener's question and made for a juicy craft conversation!
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Alida, Robert & Kathryn discuss the merits and pitfalls of writing a hero without a character arc. It has been done to great success, so why do so few people suggest it’s even possible to write an arcless protagonist?
This episode previously aired as episode 007.
Show notes and links at www.storyworkspodcast.com
This week, Alida and Kathryn talk about short stories. Why, as novelists, do we love writing the short story? What can we learn by writing short stories that we maybe can't by writing novels? What makes a short story great? Memorability. A shift in the reader. Sound tough to achieve? Don't let that stop you! Your writing skills will grow in leaps and bounds when you take on the short story.
Show notes & more at www.storyworkspodcast.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida & Kathryn discuss the benefits of writing retreats, especially when your story requires location-specific research. Whether you're writing urban fantasy, historical, or just a story set in a real place, this episode is a happy exploration of how taking time for yourself as a writer and immersing in your research can do wonders for both your story and you!
Story Works Round Table is going biweekly this summer. Our next episode is coming out in two weeks. Use our off weeks to explore the catalog of over 250 episodes all about story craft, writing process, and the creative life!
Story Works Reading Series is open for submissions. Do you have a short story or essay you'd like to read on a literary journal for your ears? Submit today!
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss Love & Writing. How many ways can you write love and all its complications into your stories? We aren't talking about romance here, just love in its many complex forms.
Story Works Round Table will be coming out biweekly. Don't worry, we aren't going away, just changing the schedule. Use our off weeks to explore the catalog of over 250 conversations about craft at www.storyworkspodcast.com!
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss trouble and your plot, character, arcs, craft and more.
Sneak Peak:
Alida: It's always from the fry pan to the fire. Keep asking yourself, how is this going to get worse for my character?
Kathryn: The decisions they make can't make them happier. These decisions have to make them suffer more, constantly more suffering. But it's not always the physical suffering, just things going on around them are overwhelmed or frustration or anger. Things not turning out the way that they want them to turn out. It's just that constant compounding of things.
Alida: Right. I think I hear a theme here. Frustration, overwhelm. Weren't we just talking about that? well, but let's break that down a little bit more, because we do want our characters to have moments of light and joy in the story. We don't want the story to be a total drag for the readers, and we don't want it to be hopeless for our characters. So let's say that your hero gets to kiss the Princess. Then what? Well, the Princess gets kidnapped. So you give us that hope, you throw us the dog bone or whatever. But then you've got to come and escalate the trouble. And by doing that, by combining the hope with the trouble, you actually raise the stakes for the character and the reader because by giving the character what he wants, then we've got that sense of reward and satisfaction. And it's harder to have it and lose it than to never have it at all and to just keep slogging along.
This episode previously aired as #019.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss Act I in this all new episode about opening your novel. What is the author's responsibility to the reader? How does your opening need to connect to your ending and what happens when it doesn't? We link it in the show notes to all the related episodes in our catalog, so make sure to check out our Library Links at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Creative writing workshops at www.StoryWorksFiction.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss the usefulness and drawbacks of using repetition in your story. What kind of repeition is typically employed in story? When does it become predictable or dull? How can we use repetition effectively to add to the reader's experience without compromising novelty?
Creative writing workshops at www.StoryWorksFiction.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss motifs, those recurring elements in a story that seem to live in the background yet enhance the power and meaning of narrative.
Creative writing workshops at www.StoryWorksFiction.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss openings, when and how to begin your novel. This episode will be linked in the show notes to all related episodes in the library.
What does your opening page communicate to a reader? When should you open with a prologue and when in media res? How do you introduce your world without bogging the reader down in info dumps or backstory? Is everything in your opening essential?
Story Works Reading Series is open for submissions. Do you have a short story or essay you'd like to read on a literary journal for your ears? Submit today at www.storyworkspodcast.com/submit.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert talk about describing your characters’ faces so they make an impression on your readers. Faces are so much more than a list of physical traits, brown hair, deep eyes, cleft chin. Lists are forgettable. When you describe your characters, strive to convey an impression of the person through the face.
Creative writing workshops at www.StoryWorksFiction.com.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn talk about that slippery subject, ambiguity. What is it? How does it function in story? How & why it can disappoint or disgruntle readers (like Kathryn!). How it’s different from a hook. More! Thinking about group coaching? Check out the sneak peek at a recent coaching call & take a writing tip away from the conversation!
New session for novelists May - July. Apply today. www.WordEssential.com/FictionGroupCoaching
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, & Kathryn talk description. Have you considered the purpose and power of description in your narrative before? Given that most of story is narrative, how you tell it matters. At the heart of narrative is description.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Creative writing workshops at www.StoryWorksFiction.com.
Looking for inspiration or want to know you're not alone in this crazy creative process called storytelling? Curious about how other writers spend writing time outside of drafting?
This week, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn talk about the ways we make writing our practice and practice our writing. Before launching a project, when problem solving, or developing a new skill, we hone our craft. Just like painters with their sketchbooks, we have our notebooks.
Submit to the Story Works Reading Series today. We want to read your short story or essay!
Show notes, links, & submit at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Creative writing workshops at www.StoryWorksFiction.com.
This week at the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn talk about prewriting. There is so much to gain from this stage of the writing process, we go into what techniques we use, when, why, and how they help our drafting and revision processes. Head to the show notes to grab our slider of related episodes in our library. Show notes & more: www.StoryWorksPodcast.com Writing workshops: www.StoryWorksFiction.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn dig into the writer's mindset. When we're facing challenges of motivation, inspiration, or just plain old scheduling, what can we do to get out of the rut and get back to what matters, what matters to us, that is? Sometimes the hardest thing to accept and act on is that it really is up to us (and no one else) if and when we write. Whether the world is humming along or falling apart at the macro or micro level, it still comes down to what we want and are willing to do for what we want.
Do you want to write?
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss theme. This episode will be linked in the show notes to all other episodes related to theme, so if you're interested in the topic, you'll be able to quickly access the theme catalog in our library.
Kathryn and Alida think about theme a lot and it drives their work.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week, Alida and Kathryn talk about emotions. A critical element of any story, it's not always obvious why or when we need them. Even trickier is how to put a feeling into words that translate beyond meaning, that actually make the reader feel what the character is feeling or something more. Crafting words on the page with the goal of emotional depth, intensity, or power is a worthwhile goal for any writer. Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week, Alida and Kathryn go deeper into the subject of writing time, specifically how to handle chronology in narrative. We have three very short examples that illustrate different methods of structuring your narrative to move the story and reader through time.
Francisco holds us in the present, with her as she writes, while drawing us back into her remembrances.
Sukruangrung uses a scene break to create a clear delineation between in-scene writing and exposition.
McCloy keeps us in the story with her younger self, using very limited narrative interjections to add a little bit of hindsight to her piece.
All of the writings are excellent and each method works equally well. I screen share the texts, so if you like to read along, watch on the website.
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
On today's Story Works Reading Series, Selene Castrovilla reads the short story "Careless Whistle." If the title brings to mind a certain '80s pop tune, it (like everything in great fiction) is intentional. After the reading, Selene and I talk about her start in writing, the use of music in her narrative, theme, and how everything we put on the page is open to the reader's interpretation.
Selene is an award-winning author of both fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. Don't miss this episode and afterwards reach out to Selene!
This episode is pulled from our library of past episodes.
Story Works Reading Series is open for submissions. www.storyworkspodcast.com/submit
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss what goes into a scene. Is there a recipe to follow? Kind of, but joke as we may, scenes are built upon certain repeatable story elements. How does pacing change with the shape of your scenes? What mistakes are commonly made at the scene level? Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week on Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert talk character. What to do when your supporting characters resist the roles you've given them? Do you really need them all? What about developing new skills over the course of an arc?
Could your characters benefit from a writing lesson? Story Works has creative writing workshops available today on character traits, a master class in character development, story structure, plot, and more. Live workshops for Spring 2022 are coming soon! Details at www.storyworksfiction.com
This week, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn talk time. It's about more than the passage of time in your story. Break out of the rut of chronological storytelling and use time to your advantage by structuring your narrative in nonlinear ways. Being creative in your use of time will enhance your suspense and reveals, no matter the genre you're writing in. There is still time to enroll in the 10-week creative writing workshop, Memory Emotion Body. This special session brought to you by Story Works & the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop is all about accessing your innate writer's toolkit. This workshop is limited to a handful of students. Sign up today. at www.storyworksfiction.com
This week, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn discuss a Hemingway short-short story, "A Cat in the Rain." Listen to the story, followed by our discussion of the craft choices apparent in Hemingway's text. At about 600 words, it's surprising how much there is to unpack and learn! Join Alida's MPWW session of the Memory Emotion Body creative writing workshop before seats fill up! www.storyworksfiction.com
This week at the Story Works Round Table, Kathryn and Robert put Alida on the spot. We talk about finishing a project you've already invested in a lot over a long time. Alida is in the home stretch of draft one of her current work-in-progress. We talk about the endurance game, staying inspired for the long haul, what happens when your setting and characters keep changing on you, research trips, and Duluth. Enjoy!
Links to coaching & workshops at www.storyworkspodcast.com - today’s episode.
This week at the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn talk about the alchemical (or so it seems) process of going from lightning bolt to draft. What do you do when inspiration strikes? How do you know it's an idea worth pursuing? What about those fully formed sentences of pure gold that come when you're in the shower? We talk about it all.
Get all the details about Alida's essay, the MPWW session of the Memory Emotion Body workshop, and fiction group coaching, first quarter in the show notes at www.storyworkspodcast.com
This week, Alida, Kathryn, and Robert welcome Shari Medini and Karissa Tunis back to the Round Table to discuss co-authoring. They have a successful parenting blog and now a book for busy, work-from-home parents. Whether you're thinking about teaming up to tackle a novel or a nonfiction treatise, you can learn a lot from this duo's experience as co-authors.
Shari and Karissa are the parenting advice bloggers at Adore Them Parenting and have a new book out to help make sure you get your parenting, work, and YOU time into every week. As successful writers themselves, we wanted to get their pro tips for collaborating on creative projects.
Group coaching for novelists: www.wordessential.com/editing/coach
This week, Alida, Kathryn, and Robert welcome Shari Medini and Karissa Tunis to the Round Table for our annual New Year's episode. This year we take a different tack and look at how we can maintain our writing goals in the new year when we have extra challenges, like working from our busy homes.
Shari and Karissa are the parenting advice bloggers at Adore Them Parenting and have a new book out to help make sure you get your parenting, work, and YOU time into every week. As successful writers themselves, we wanted to talk about the challenges creatives have when also faced with parenting and working at home.
This conversation isn't only for parents. Enjoy!
Show notes at www.storyworkspodcast.com
This month on the Story Works Reading Series, I am pleased to present Chris Hasara reading his short story, “Housekeeping.” After the story, we chat about writing in the cab of a truck, the Midwestern voice, single-character stories, his writing influences, including Edgar Allen Poe, and much more.
Do you have a short story or essay ready to read? I’d love to see it! www.storyworkspodcast.com/submit
This week, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn talk about ending your story. What is the purpose of your ending? How do you create space for the reader to really feel the emotional impact of your story? And when should you plan how you are going to tie up those plot points and emotional questions you opened at the beginning of your story? How can we add fresh twists to our inevitable endings? And how do we avoid or embrace the “Hollywood Ending”? In the end it’s all about creating the ending that satisfies your story!
This episode previously aired as 069.
Group coaching for fiction & nonfiction open for 2022. Apply at www.wordessential.com/editing/coach
Have you ever wondered if your writing sucks? We're all plagued by doubt sometimes. And other times the work just doesn't flow. This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn ask themselves what to do if your writing sucks?
We start off with a questions one of us may have been pondering before the call and weave our way through possible causes and solutions to this most troubling and amorphous craft question: does my writing sometimes suck?
If you ever ask yourself this question, you might be a candidate for coaching. Group coaching begins in 2022 for fiction and nonfiction writers. Listen and follow for more details. What is coaching? Learn more at www.WordEssential.com/editing/coach.
Alida, Robert, & Kathryn use our voices to talk about voice. Not the spoken kind, but the written. What is an author's voice? Does it just happen or is it crafted? How does narrative voice used with character voice? What about a character whose voice does not fit with the narrative? Can that still work? And more this week on the Story Works Round Table.
Alida is offering group coaching to novel writers starting in February 2022. Follow for details and to secure your spot at the table!
Show notes at www.storyworkspodcast.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert,& Kathryn discuss backstory. Robert has been noticing novels that aren’t doing it well. How do writers go wrong when introducing backstory? When should you introduce backstory? How much can a reader take, anyway?
Want more on this topic, I have a workshop on Writing Backstory into Your Now-Story. Check it out at www.storyworksfiction.com
On today's Story Works Reading Series, Robert James Russell reads "Recreation." He brilliantly takes on the challenging form of the epistolary, then takes it one...or two...further by also presenting us with unnamed characters. Besides delving into the craft of this personal narrative form and getting a little bit meta, we talk about the solace of nature and things we can't decode.
If you enjoy listening to the literary journal for your ears, please tell your friends about us.
Show notes, links, more at www.storyworkspodcast.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn examine an excerpt of a short story by author Barry Lopez. “The Log Jam,” in his collection Desert Notes River Notes, is a powerful piece of writing. We dig into sentence structure, voice, setting, emotional impact, characterization, and more. You can read the excerpt in the show notes at www.storyworkspodcast.com
Get creative writing workshops at www.storyworksfiction.com
Alida and Kathryn dig into narrative storytellers on this week’s Story Works Round Table. Have you ever written a story with a storyteller as narrator? That’s a narrator that is not invisible, like the typical authorial narrator, and is not a character, like a first person narrator. But this narrator is full of personality and can be as opinionated as you like. A storyteller’s voice evokes a sense of being present, of hearing the story is essential to creating a storyteller experience for the reader.
Show notes & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn talk NaNoWriMo and pushing for big word counts. November is underway, but it’s not too late to join NaNoWriMo, so if you’ve been on the fence, check out Kathryn’s experience with and advice on National Novel Writing Month. But if you’re like Alida, you might fall into the “not for me” camp. We’ve got both sides covered in this week’s conversation about craft.
Shownotes & more www.storyworkspodcast.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Robert discuss what it means to open your story in media res. When is it a good idea to start in the middle of action? How does that affect the opening of your work, character introductions, and more?
Get show notes, links, writing tips, and more at www.storyworkspodcast.com.
Find Alida's writing workshops at www.storyworksfiction.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida & Robert talk about introducing characters to your readers on the page. After you've invested in your characters' development, make sure you don't skimp on the process of making introductions. There is a craft to making a solid first impression on your reader. One that doesn't overwhelm with a dump of traits but spirals the details of a person, physical and intangible, in a meaningful way into the character's first scene.
Want more ways to explore story craft? Join Alida's writing workshops. Making Your Readers Fear & Fear For Your Characters is Oct. 24th. Sign up at www.storyworksfiction.com
Alida and Robert sit down at the Story Works Round Table to talk fear this week. How do we get our readers to feel fear from just the written word? What craft tools can we employ? It’s one thing with a wide-angle narrative lens, but what about a close third POV? We dig into all of this and more!
Love this topic? Join my workshop, Making Readers Fear & Fear For Your Characters on October 24th. Details at www.storyworksfiction.com
This week, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn talk about villains you can't vanquish: How do you handle a villain that can't wear a hat, black or otherwise? When your story calls for a force instead of a figure, what does that mean for your plot? For your character? What do you need to be aware of when writing a bad event or circumstance, instead of a bad guy? Are there genre-specific antagonistic forces?
Show notes and more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Get workshops at www.StoryWorksFiction.com
Previously released as SWRT 085.
This month the Story Works Reading Series returns after summer break with a new piece of creative nonfiction by essayist, journalist, and writing professor, Jonathon Heide. I am honored to bring Jonathon’s essay, Eastern White Pine at the Corner of the Farm, to you followed by a conversation with the author about the intersection of nonfiction and storytelling, bringing your personal self into your writing, loggers and arborists and generations of family. Grab a cup of something warm and enjoy this episode of the Story Works Reading Series.
Get Alida's creative writing workshops at www.storyworksfiction.com
Submit your work to the Reading Series at www.storyworkspodcast.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn talk about writing dystopian fiction when the world we’re living in seems dystopian. What does a dystopian story have to offer readers who already feel left out or beat down? Maybe…a lot.
Register for the writing workshop Memory Emotion Body at www.storyworksfiction.com now. Class begins in October.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert talk about the changes we've noticed in storycraft when reading books of past eras. How has storytelling changed with the times and what elements of craft should we hang onto?
What books of old have you read and how do you think storytelling is changing? Let us know on our comments page!
www.storyworkspodcast.com
Get Alida's writing workshops at www.storyworksfiction.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert talk about those big, really BIG, scenes. When your story demands an epic battle or riot or disaster, how can you create the right blend of massive action & personal emotion? What are the pitfalls of multiple points of view in epic scenes? And lots more today at the Round Table. Pull up a chair & join us!
Register for this Sunday's Writing Backstory into Your Now-story & other workshops at www.storyworksfiction.com.
Show notes at www.storyworkspodcast.com.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn ask, how can we develop our characters if we aren’t naturally curious about people? We three writers find ourselves putting our friends, family, neighbors, even strangers under our version of the microscope. What do we--and our stories--gain as observers of human nature? Where does our authenticity come from as writers? Is there a method to our madness?
We’re always diving into the lives and minds of our characters in an effort to bring them to life for our readers, which makes us amateur, or armchair, psychologists. But how do we keep from getting it wrong? The key is not a technicality of research or analysis, or in our attitude toward others. We’ve found that compassion and empathy make for the best character development.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn ponder whether or not people with a creative license need to worry about the conventions of grammar & punctuation. I don't think the answer will surprise you, but the whys, wherefores, & particular concerns we have with those craft elements may prove enlightening.
Show notes & more at www.storyworkspodcast.com
Submit to the Story Works Reading Series now: www.storyworkspodcast.com/submit
This week at the Story Works Round Table, we cover one of Kathryn’s current pain points: when description doesn’t happen while drafting and how to get it done in revision. The role of description is much richer in your story than you may think. (Previously released as episode 125.)
Robert resists adding description while he fast drafts, knowing he’ll have to face it in later drafts. Kathryn struggles to get down in words what she knows has to be there. This leads to lots of placeholders in her draft, notes to fill in the details later…but all those To Do notes can get depressing!
Kathryn’s flow state writing has gone missing due to life’s time constraints. Alida gives her a tip to turn stolen minutes into productive writing time—one we can all benefit from! We expand the conversation about using your “throat clearing” time for descriptive writing, something I’m adding to my writing practice today.
Reconnecting with your story’s voice will help you nail your descriptions. You’re going to love the argument for the richness of detail while working with Robert’s notion of the “artfully vague.”
At the end, Robert wonders if all this is any help to Kathryn. (I’m pretty sure it is!)
Show notes and more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
This week Alida, Robert, & Kathryn continue discussing what we’re reading now and why we chose it. Why would a successful, beautifully-written book lose readers? What niche mystery has Robert excited to read more?
Show notes, links & more at www.storyworkspodcast.com
Submit to the fall season of the Story Works Reading Series now! www.storyworkspodcast.com/submit
This week, we return the subject of what we’re reading now. We get into not only the titles we’re into, but what makes them work and maybe not work as well as they could. We have a variety of reasons for what we choose to read beyond “pleasure” and the books are not all in our genres. You might be surprised by which popular and award-winning novel we dissect. How did you feel about All…?
We're having an Ask Us Anything episode in the near future. Just head over to iTunes and leave us a review. Pose your craft question in your review and we'll address it on the episode!
Show notes & more: www.storyworkspodcast.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, we talk about “those bits tacked on at the end of a story to explain everything…” Wait, who said that? We discuss the epilogue and dig into our favorite epilogue to love and hate at the end of the Harry Potter series. What did you think of it? Have you written epilogues to your novels? Let us know in the comments.
Want to be part of the conversation? Good!
We're having an Ask Us Anything episode in the near future. Just head over to iTunes and leave us a review. Pose your craft question in your review and we'll address it on the episode!
Show notes & more at www.storyworkspodcast.com
Got a story? Submit to Story Works Reading Series at www.storyworkspodcast.com/submit
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert dissect the prologue. Can you be for or against prologues? When do writers do them wrong? And how do you do them right? As with so many of our Round Tables, we start out with something that seems so simple, yet find ways to sink our teeth into a juicy discussion!
Want to be part of the conversation? Good.
We're having an Ask Us Anything episode in the near future. Just head over to iTunes and leave us a review. Pose your craft question in your review and we'll address it on the episode!
Show notes & more: www.storyworkspodcast.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida Winternheimer, Robert Scanlon, & Kathryn Arnold talk pacing. Isn’t it about word count and how quickly readers turn the pages? You know, that old chestnut, the Beach Read? It’s about the need to know what’s coming next, the reader’s desire to keep being drawn into and through the story. But it’s also about the ebb and flow of action, not an overall speed, but a rhythm that allows for ups and downs, quick and slow movements. Make the pace of your story organic to your character’s experience. Do not think of pace in terms of speed, but in terms of the reader’s experience of your story.
Enjoy this unpacking of this seemingly simple topic, pacing, and join the conversation at our Story Works Writers Facebook group.
Show notes & more at www.storyworkspodcast.com
Got a story? Submit to Story Works Reading Series at www.storyworkspodcast.com/submit
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn talk about reconnecting with a work-in-progress that has been shelved for a looooong time. Robert has returned to a manuscript after 4 years. Anyone who has been more than “resting” a manuscript will benefit from today’s discussion.
Join your hosts, Alida Winternheimer, Kathryn Arnold, and Robert Scanlon, at the Round Table every week by visiting http://storyworkspodcast.com. Show notes, links, comments, and more!
This week at the Round Table, we talk about talking. What goes into writing natural sounding dialogue that is still artful in its delivery? What are the pitfalls of giving your characters speaking parts? How many ways can you make them sound wooden, artificial, or even annoying? Should you really use said? And does Robert have a dialogue pet peeve?
Join your hosts, Alida Winternheimer, Kathryn Arnold, and Robert Scanlon at http://storyworkspodcast.com. Show notes, links, comments, & more!
In this weeks Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn are joined by Becca Puglisi to talk about emotional wounds, and writing deeper and more compelling fiction.
This episode previously aired as episode 028. Make sure you go back into the library and check out our other episodes with Becca Puglisi.
Join your hosts, Alida Winternheimer, Kathryn Arnold, and Robert Scanlon, at the Round Table every week by visiting http://storyworkspodcast.com. Show notes, links, comments, and more!
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert talk about budding writers, young writers, and old hands like ourselves. It seems we all need encouragement and support to get on with the act & the art of writing! What helps you get through your story projects? Let us know in the comments.
Show notes & more at www.storyworkspodcast.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert talk point of view & dramatic tension. How does your handling of POV affect your story's plot arc? Could your POV character make or break the pace of your action? The better you control the interplay of POV & tension, the tighter & more effective your storytelling.
Show notes & more at www.storyworkspodcast.com
This week, Alida & Kathryn welcome poet & publishing guide Scott James back to the Round Table. When is the right time to present your manuscript to outside readers? We talk strategies for ensuring you get quality feedback from those select few who count. As well as ways to incorporate that feedback into your revision process.
Show notes & more at http://storyworkspodcast.com
Check out our sister podcast, Story Works Reading Series, too!
On today's Story Works Reading Series, Selene Castrovilla reads the short story "Careless Whistle." If the title brings to mind a certain '80s pop tune, it (like everything in great fiction) is intentional. After the reading, Selene and I talk about her start in writing, the use of music in her narrative, theme, and how everything we put on the page is open to the reader's interpretation.
Selene is an award-winning author of both fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. Don't miss this episode and afterwards, reach out to Selene!
Connect with Selene at www.storyworkspodcast.com and submit your story or essay today!
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss the relationship between your plot and character arcs. We have a modern classic story (thanks to Kathryn’s little ones) to dissect, making this conversation grounded in examples. If you haven’t seen it, you may want to grab some popcorn and watch Finding Nemo! Though it’s definitely not required, because we got you covered with all the details you need to join this conversation at the Round Table.
Show notes & more at http://storyworkspodcast.com
Check out our sister podcast, Story Works Reading Series, too!
This week, Alida and Kathryn welcome Scott James back to the Round Table to discuss how we can use genre considerations while we're drafting to avoid future pitfalls. Scott is a publishing guide with an interesting take on our topic. He also knows how to make sure your novel makes it into the right readers' hands. He's got a great tip for making Amazon categories work for you!
Show notes & more at http://storyworkspodcast.com
Check out our sister podcast, Story Works Reading Series, too!
This week, Alida and Kathryn welcome Scott James to the Round Table to discuss the lessons prose writers can learn from the art of poetry. Are novelists and poets such different creatures, after all? What can prose writers learn from the way poets approach imagery and metaphor? We delve into the ever-important endnote in both poetry and prose. Scott reads a favorite poem by Mary Oliver, which we discuss. He also shares two of his typewriter poems from his book, Whatever Magic You Need.
If you care about word-craft, pull up a chair at the Round Table!
This episode of the Story Works Reading Series is an unusual one, showcasing 13-year-old, Sunday Times bestselling author Kristina Naydonova. Kristina has an impressive resume for one so young and is clearly a talent to watch. Besides enjoying this interview, I think you’ll gain some takeaways from what Kristina has to say about process, time management, inspiration, and craft.
Show notes & bonus audio at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn discuss the short story. What are the particular considerations of short form fiction? What do you write when there's no room for an arc? Is a turning point as powerful as a climax? Explore the beauty of conceptual, quiet, singular fiction. Getting specific detail, imagery, symbolism, & metaphor to work for you...so much more!
Show notes & more at www.storyworkspodcast.com
Got a story? Submit to Story Works Reading Series at www.storyworkspodcast.com/submit
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss developing your villains. Besides making a real person out of that black hat, the shape of the villain helps shape the protagonist and even your setting. So much more comes out of what you put into that character than you may think!
Show notes & more at http://storyworkspodcast.com
Check out our sister podcast, Story Works Reading Series, too!
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss single character scenes & stories. There are challenges to having a single character on the stage of the page, some obvious some not-so-obvious. So why would you want a single-character scene? When your story calls for one, how can you ensure the movement continues to draw a reader forward? What are the roles of setting, subtext, & metaphor? Need a writing prompt? We got one!
Show notes & more at http://storyworkspodcast.com
Check out our sister podcast, Story Works Reading Series, too!
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert delve into ensemble cast fiction. Does a team of protagonists require a team of POV characters? Do you truly need a single hero at the top of your character pyramid? What are the pros and cons of writing an ensemble? And…has Robert written himself into a corner by having an ensemble cast with a single POV protagonist?
Show notes & more at http://storyworkspodcast.com
Check out our sister podcast, Story Works Reading Series, too!
On today's Story Works Reading Series, Laura James reads "Stuck." When an ex-pat drifts aggressively through Paris, in search of love and belonging, we wonder if she is running away or toward something? With wry humor, the city comes to life as Leah navigates public transit, a classic Parisian building, and her own inner world.
After the reading, Laura and I sit down to chat about "Stuck" - Laura in Southern Spain and I in Minnesota - its inspiration in real life, writing during total lockdown, and much more!
See Laura and her photo of Paris at www.storyworkspodcast.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Robert talk all things action. What are action scenes and what you need to do to make your reader sit up and pay attention! We cover everything from choreographing your fight to multiple team action scenes, from slowing down the action to avoiding repetition, from enacting the action yourself to making the reader sweat with anticipation.
Formerly aired as episode 31.
Shownotes at www.storyworkspodcast.com
Writing workshops at www.storyworksfiction.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert dissect an author’s very interesting point of view & narrative choices. We take a close look at In an Instant by Suzanne Redfearn, in which the protagonist is killed early in the story. What happens to the POV? The status of protagonist? The plot? And how is agency affected when your POV character is incorporeal? Although we’re discussing a specific work, there is much to take away about the challenges and rewards of crafting a distinct, even experimental, narrative.
Show notes & more at http://storyworkspodcast.com
Check out our sister podcast, Story Works Reading Series, too. And submit your work today!
This week on the Story Works Reading Series, S.A. Wolter reads the short story “Black Bart.” This cowboy’s tale is a tribute to the last of a generation and true piece of Americana. You won’t want to miss this moving story or the conversation that follows.
Alida Winternheimer chats with Susan Wolter about the story’s inspiration, her childhood on a ranch, writing through the challenges of a single-character narrative, using flashback without reducing forward momentum, a truly surprising, yet inevitable, ending, and much more.
http://storyworkspodcast.com/swrs-002-black-bart-by-s-a-wolter
Submit your short story or personal essay at http://storyworkspodcast.com/submit
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss the ways in which story is all around us. What is it that makes story so pervasive? How can we use this essential nature of story in our writing? What is the difference between telling someone facts and creating a story? Will giving our supporting characters a story of their own strengthen our protagonist’s story?
Show notes & more at www.storyworkspodcast.com
Join the Write Great Openings! workshop now. www.storyworksfiction.com/p/write-great-openings
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss the critical relationship of protagonist & antagonist. If you don't keep them sticking to each other throughout your plot, the story falls apart. This is as true in character-driven stories as it is black hat villain stories as it is in save the world stories.
Sign up for Write Great Openings! live workshop now.
Show notes & more.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn talk tech. Is technology just a concern for sci fi writers? Or does it pervade every genre in our tech-enhanced world? How does keeping an eye on the tech your characters use enhance your story? And when can it become a detriment? What about the choice to ignore or erase technology from your world? Can technology limit a story's longevity?
Show notes & more at http://storyworkspodcast.com
Check out our sister podcast, Story Works Reading Series, too!
This week, Alida, Robert & Kathryn discuss the oft used and oft misunderstood trope. What is a trope really? How do we use them? Why and how are so many people confused about tropes?
Show notes at www.storyworkspodcast.com
*This episode is from the archive, previously aired as 039.
This week, we air our first episode of the Story Works Reading Series, sister podcast to the Round Table. Hear an author read an original short story or essay, then sit down with Alida to chat about the piece's inspiration, challenges, and craft. A podcast for readers, writers, and readers curious about writers!
Alida Winternheimer gets the table turned this time, putting her behind the mic. She reads from Saving Annabelle, a historical Midwestern gothic tale that confronts the dark undercurrents of everyday life.
Writer Carlee Tressel takes the interviewer's seat and really picks Alida's brain, unpacking these tense opening scenes.
Bonus audio segments at the shows page: http://storyworkspodcast.com
Is your protagonist up to all the challenges your plot is throwing at her? Or is everything a little too easy?
How do you create a character who’s tough enough to survive, but not so darn competent at everything that she becomes unbelievable and unsympathetic? This week on the Story Works Round Table writing podcast, we delve into creating sufficient challenges commensurate with your character’s abilities…and more!
Show notes at www.storyworkspodcast.com
This week, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn answer a fan's question on the Story Works Round Table Podcast. How do we organize topics & themes in long long-form writing projects? What's different about working with fiction or nonfiction manuscripts well over 100k words versus shorter word counts? Is it the tools that change or just the frame of mind?
Join Memory Emotion Body, a new, live, generative writing workshop, now. https://storyworksfiction.com/p/memory-emotion-body
Show notes at http://storyworkspodcast.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Robert welcome Kathryn back to discuss routines. Why are we so interested in what other people do, when and how? Is there some new wisdom we can take away from yet another conversation about routines? Some nugget to help us get 2021 off right? We think so!
Show notes, links, more at http://storyworkspodcast.com
This week, Alida and Robert welcome author and writing coach Beth Barany back to the Story Works Round Table for this author statement workshop. Grab your paper and pen, and write along with us as she takes us step-by-step through the creation of your author's statement of purpose. No kidding, this might be the most important sentence you write in 2021!
Show notes & Links at http://storyworkspodcast.com/swrt-190-author-statement-your-north-star
Part 2: Alida and Robert welcome author and writing coach Beth Barany to the Story Works Round Table to talk about her method of drafting a series, revising multiple books, using loyal readers while she's still drafting, and more. This is one of those episodes where we set out to talk about one thing and talked about a dozen. I think you'll find we go in surprising directions with loads of takeaways!
Submit to Story Works Reading Series by 12/31 to be considered for publication in the first quarter of 2021.
http://storyworkspodcast.com/submit
New live workshops at www.StoryWorksFictiont.com
This week, Alida and Robert welcome author and writing coach Beth Barany to the Round Table to talk about her method of drafting a series, revising multiple books, using loyal readers while she's still drafting, and more. This is one of those episodes where we set out to talk about one thing and talked about a dozen. I think you'll find we go in surprising directions with loads of takeaways!
Enroll in Alida's Memory Emotion Body live workshop now! https://storyworksfiction.com
This week at the Story Works Round Table, Robert, Carlee, and Alida get touchy feely as we explore the challenges and benefits of making your reader really feel your character. how do you move from sympathy to empathy to true personal connection?
Submit to Story Works Reading Series by 12/31 to be considered for publication in the first quarter of 2021.
http://storyworkspodcast.com/submit
Is Catcher in the Rye worthy of its status as a timeless classic? Dust off your copy - I know you had to read it in high school -and join the conversation at the Story Works Round Table. We look at what made the book special when it came out, whether it should be considered YA or adult. And we dig deep to address the question of timeless literature. Can the times get too far ahead of a story for it to remain a classic? Does Salinger's Holden Caulfield continue to deserve our attention today?
Got a story or essay you want to see published in 2021? Submit it now to the Story Works Reading Series at www.storyworkspodcast.com/submit
With the Covid-19 version of Thanksgiving weekend upon us, what better way to spend our alone time than with a writing prompt to boost our creativity & moods! This week at the Story Works Round Table, we discuss the value of writing prompts and bring you a bunch to choose from. Write with us or pick your own. Happy Writing!
If you follow Alida on Instagram or Facebook, you’ll find a bonus writing prompt in her Thanksgiving post.
Show notes & more: http://storyworkspodcast.com
Submit to the Story Works Reading Series now! http://storyworkspodcast.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Carlee, and Robert go deep with the question of what is genre, anyway? It's far more useful to us writers than a marketing category. Writing to market is often confused with marketing. And what about those of us who strive to be "pure artists," putting categories at the end of the process? Whether you aim to meet or subvert reader expectations, there's more to your genre than meets the eye.
Show notes & more: http://storyworkspodcast.com
At this week's Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, and Carlee discuss using all of your senses in writing. We focus so much on the movie in the mind, that we can lean too heavily on the visual in our scene building. But a well-chosen sensory detail can make a scene memorable, even surprising. Focusing on a sensory detail, especially the least obvious of details will shape your reader's experience in powerful ways. Tuning in to your own senses while you write can invite insights from your subconscious mind to come forward.
Submit to the Story Works Reading Series now! http://storyworkspodcast.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, and Carlee explore opening scenes and what you should include right away to establish who and what the story is about. Missing the mark with your opening scene could mislead the reader and set your story up for disappointment.
Submit your story or essay to the new Story Works Reading Series podcast now!
www.StoryWorksPodcast.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Robert are joined by Carlee Tressel to discuss the death…or possible resuscitation…of book projects. When is it time to let go? Is resting it enough? Do you need outside feedback to make the decision? Why is it so hard to let go sometimes? And so hard to finish at other times? And in the end, you just have to….
Announcing the Story Works Reading Series, a literary journal for your ears!
Shownotes at www.storyworkspodcast.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn discuss traits that can make or break a character, those defining traits that become identified with a character. How do you create a defining trait? (And make sure it’s “cool”?) Does it have to be a negative trait? Is physical or psychological better? And much more.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn welcome Jennifer Bowen, Artistic Director of the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop, to discuss the impact writing has on the lives of incarcerated writers. In this in-depth conversation, Jennifer tells us about the kinds of students and remarkable writing found on the inside. Some of the most innovative, powerful writing voices are coming from this invisible population. Art changes lives.
You’re invited to the annual MPWW student reading, Beyond Bars: Voices of Incarceration. This year’s event is being held on Zoom, Saturday, October 24, 2020, 7:30 p.m. Central. Use the links below to register.
www.MNPrisonWriting.org
www.StoryWorksPodcast.com
This episode previously aired as #129, 130
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn discuss the benefits of knowing how your story ends before you begin. Page 1 sets us up for the climax to come. How knowing our ending inspires our creative process while drafting. And more!
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
This week at the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss the ways in which character agency is relevant to the whole of your story. How well you handle agency could determine how much readers like your book.
Show notes & more at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn talk about continuity. How important is it to maintain continuity throughout your stories?
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn talk about ending your story with balance restored. Does it always have to be happily ever after?
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn talk about too much of a good thing. When do you tip the balance from just enough, to too much or too little?
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, and Robert continue their conversation with Molly McCloy, diving deep into character agency in non-fiction.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, and Robert, are joined by Molly McCloy to talk about her recent memoir and the art of turning your family into your characters.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
Alida, Kathryn, and Robert discuss the rules of writing we all know but often don't fully understand, how they trip us up and actually become limiting factors in our writing. If you've ever been told "show, don't tell," "adverbs are bad," or any number of other writing rules, you have to listen to this conversation at the Round Table. The good, the bad, and the ugly writing that happens when we take the rules too far!
This episode is from the library, previously published as episode 048.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, and Robert continue their conversation with Molly McCloy. They talk about how oral storytelling can affect all kinds of writing craft, and get into the details of the craft.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, and Robert welcome 4-time Moth Grand Slam Winner Molly McCloy to the show, discussing the performance, art, and craft of oral storytelling.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn check in with each other. How are we handling the ever-changing world situation as writers?
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, and Robert talk about starting your story in media res, discussing everything from starting fast to starting with your inciting incident already in the past.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn discuss the ways to manipulate time in your writing. We cover everything from expansion, to just knowing how long it takes to get from one place to another.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida continues her conversation with author Mag Dimond about her memoir Bowing to Elephant, discussing life, death, spirituality, and the hero’s journey.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida talks with author Mag Dimond about her memoir Bowing to Elephants. They dig into what it takes to write a memoir, exploring emotional vulnerability, sensual detail, and more.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn have a lot of fun discussing titles, and how important it is to choose the right one.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn talk with Claire Gem all about dual POV and it’s importance in the romance genre.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida welcomes special guest Susan Wolter to talk all about grants, and how they can impact you as a writer.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, and Robert are joined by author Claire Gem to talk about the Paranormal Romance genre.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, and Robert discuss flawed heroes, and how you create a believable hero who still has room to grow.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, and Robert discuss reading like a writer. We talk about reading for pleasure, and when to put your writer hat on and really dive into what you are reading.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, and Robert discuss the craft of writing subtext. We dive into the short story Cathedral by Raymond Carver, looking at the intricacies of what is unsaid.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, and Robert discuss the craft of creating a long series, and how to innovate on your plot to keep readers engaged.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, and Robert do a lightning round, answering questions from the story works writer’s Facebook group about POV and Narrative.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, and Robert discuss maintaining the passion for our projects through the long, and sometimes tedious work, that it takes to put something like a novel together.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table we bring you something a little bit different. Hop in and join Alida at a Q&A session, and then make sure to grab your seat at the next one!
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, and Robert discuss character invention. We tackle where our characters come from, and how to fine-tune them to meet your stories needs.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, and Robert talk about the adorable characters that your readers fall in love with in your stories.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, and Robert talk about art in the time of the Coronavirus. We take a look at how a writer can respond to these type of events in history, and how soon is too soon to write about our experiences.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, and Robert continue our discussion on dark endings. We talk about satisfying readers, and when dark endings just don’t work!
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com
In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, and Robert discuss dark endings, and how you can play with your reader’s expectations to keep those dark endings satisfying.
Show notes at https://storyworkspodcast.com