The Novel Analyst Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jed Herne
Welcome to the Novel Analyst podcast! I’m Jed Herne and each episode I analyse a story to help you become a better writer. My goal is to use the books I love to improve my own writing - and hopefully improve yours in the process! My own stories have been published or are forthcoming in The Arcanist, The Scarlet Leaf Review, Flintlock, and more. Tweet me @JedHerne. New episodes published every 2nd Tuesday at 8am Perth time.
The Language of Dying is an elegiac, emotionally moving novella, about a woman whose father is dying. In today's episode, I dive deep into analysing how the author crafted such a profound emotional experience. If you want your words to move your readers, this episode explains how.
My debut fantasy novella, Fires of the Dead, is available on amazon! Get it here: http://bit.ly/firesjedherne
Show Notes:
Fires of the Dead, by Jed Herne - https://jedherne.com/firesofthedead/
Watch my YouTube channel for writing advice every weekday: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVjB-qFoNxNbQq0S3boWxIA?view_as=subscriber
Join my exclusive free Reader Club email newsletter to stay up to date with my writing projects: https://jedherne.com/club/
Twitter: @jedherne
Email: jed.herne1@gmail.com
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message
My debut fantasy novella, Fires of the Dead, is available on amazon for pre-order! Get it here: https://amzn.to/31KMCUR
Or use this link to read a free sample chapter: https://jedherne.com/dead/
A Canticle for Leibowitz is a 1959 post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel by Walter M. Miller Jr. It's often described as one of the first post-apocalyptic stories. Without it, there would be no Book of Eli, The Stand, or most other post-apocalyptic tales. Don't just take my word for it. It won the 1961 Hugo Award - one of science fiction's highest honours. Legendary scientist Carl Sagan described it as: "so tautly constructed, so rich in the accommodating details of an unfamiliar society that [it] sweep me along before I have even a chance to be critical".
It's a remarkable novel. I don't have the space in one episode to fully analyse it, so today I'm focusing on just one thing: how it uses an unconventional structure to explore the theme and emotionally gut-punch readers. Enjoy!
Show Notes:
Fires of the Dead, by Jed Herne - https://jedherne.com/dead/
Watch my YouTube channel for writing advice every weekday: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVjB-qFoNxNbQq0S3boWxIA?view_as=subscriber
Join my exclusive free Reader Club email newsletter to stay up to date with my writing projects: https://jedherne.com/club/
Twitter: @jedherne
Email: jed.herne1@gmail.com
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message
Gabriel Bergmoser is a Melbourne based author and playwright. He's written the Boone Shepard trilogy (I analysed book 3 in this episode of the podcast) along with multiple plays. His latest novel is The Hunted (aka Sunburnt Country in the UK), which comes out in mid-2020 from HarperCollins.
It was a pleasure to have Gabe back on the podcast to discuss his recent book & movie deals, along with other aspects of his life as a writer. Have a listen if you're interested in:
- Gabe's advice for being resilient and overcoming rejection;
- What it's like to get a huge book deal with a major publisher (& an equally huge movie deal!);
- The biggest writing lesson he learnt from finishing the Boone Shepard trilogy;
And loads more!
Show Notes:
16 - Boone Shepard - The Silhouette and the Sacrifice by Gabriel Bergmoser - Writing Awesome Endings
Gabe's review of Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad
News about The Hunted and the film deal
Gabe's twitter account: https://twitter.com/gobergmoser
For writing advice every weekday, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVjB-qFoNxNbQq0S3boWxIA?view_as=subscriber
For free sci-fi & fantasy stories, and to stay updated with my writing projects, join my free newsletter: https://jedherne.com/club/
Twitter: @jedherne
Email: jed.herne1@gmail.com
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message
Enter the free contest to win 7 Joe Abercrombie fantasy novels: http://bit.ly/firstlawgiveaway (Contest ends on 12th August, 2019, so get in quick!)
Join my email newsletter to stay updated with my upcoming book launch: https://jedherne.com/club/
To build buzz for the launch on my debut fantasy novella, Fires of the Dead, on September 20th, 2019, I'm giving away a paperback collection of Joe Abercrombie's amazing fantasy novels! I've discussed Abercrombie before, on the following podcast episodes:
2 - The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie - Characterisation through Contradiction
7 - The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie - Exploring Theme
Hit me up on twitter @JedHerne or email me at jed.herne1[at]gmail.com with any questions.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo is a gritty YA fantasy heist story. It's got a racing plot, an interesting setting, and amazing characters. In this episode, I analyse the relationship between Kaz and Inej, using Mary Robinette Kowal's 6 relationship axes:
Mind - Both people have similar levels of intelligence.
Money - Both people have similar attitudes about money. They don't both have to have the same amount. This is about what money is for and how it's handled.
Morals - Similar moral compasses of right and wrong.
Manners - Similar senses of what is polite. So it's possible to have the same manners and wildly different morals.
Monogamy - Similar attitudes about the relationship. You know that guy that thinks you are BFFs and you think you're just colleagues?
Marx Brothers - You both find the same things funny.
Source: https://www.patreon.com/posts/writing-stable-8172456
Show Notes:
Go here to see the table I mentioned: https://novelanalyst.com/?p=536
Episode 25 - all about Crooked Kingdom, the sequel to this novel: https://novelanalyst.com/2019/04/30/25-crooked-kingdom-by-leigh-bardugo-the-art-of-setting-descriptions/
Check out my youtube channel for writing advice every weekday: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVjB-qFoNxNbQq0S3boWxIA?view_as=subscriber
Join my exclusive free Reader Club email newsletter to stay up to date with my writing projects: https://jedherne.com/club/
Twitter: @jedherne
Email: jed.herne1@gmail.com
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message
After Dale from The Reading Gorilla podcast sent in a listener request, who was I to ignore it? This is an episode about Orson Scott Card's sci-fi classic, Ender's Game. Specifically, I examine how he crafted such an amazing twist. Enjoy!
And if you want to request an episode, or just have any feedback on the podcast, email me at jed.herne1@gmail.com, or download the free Anchor app to your phone, then search for 'The Novel Analyst Podcast,' and click the appropriate buttons to send me a voice message.
Show Notes:
Check out my new youtube channel for writing advice every weekday: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVjB-qFoNxNbQq0S3boWxIA?view_as=subscriber
Join my exclusive free Reader Club email newsletter to stay up to date with my writing projects: https://jedherne.com/club/
Twitter: @jedherne
Email: jed.herne1@gmail.com
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message
What does it mean to craft epic fantasy? How is it different that other forms of fantasy? What are it's unique strengths, and potential pitfalls? All those questions and more answered in today's episode, which focuses on The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. Enjoy!
Check out my new youtube channel for writing advice every weekday: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVjB-qFoNxNbQq0S3boWxIA?view_as=subscriber
Join my exclusive free Reader Club email newsletter to stay up to date with my writing projects: https://jedherne.com/club/
Twitter: @jedherne
Email: jed.herne1@gmail.com
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message
Let me know what you think of these short bonus episodes by emailing jed.herne1@gmail.com.
Also, if you want free sci-fi and fantasy stories written by me, go to jedherne.com/club. It’ll let you join my brand new Reader Club, and when you do that I’ll send you 5 free short stories, plus exclusive bonus content.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message
Today’s episode is all about secondary characters. What constitutes a great secondary character? How can us writers create amazing side characters that improve the quality of our stories?
Show notes:
3 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling - Creating Suspense Using Question Arcs
11 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling - Narrative Misdirection
Twitter: @JedHerne
Email: jed.herne1 [at] gmail.com
Website: novelanalyst.com
Join my VIP email list: novelanalyst.com/email
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message
Let me know what you think of these short bonus episodes by emailing jed.herne1@gmail.com.
Also, if you want free sci-fi and fantasy stories written by me, go to jedherne.com/club. It’ll let you join my brand new Reader Club, and when you do that I’ll send you 5 free short stories, plus exclusive bonus content.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message
27 - Skulduggery Pleasant - Death Bringer by Derek Landy - The Gap
Backstories matter, but they can be hard to execute. This episode deconstructs how Landy uses the idea of the Gap to create intriguing character backstories that readers crave to learn. Enjoy!
Shownotes:
19 - Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy - The Art of Naming
Twitter: @JedHerne
Email: jed.herne1 [at] gmail.com
Website: novelanalyst.com
Join my VIP email list: novelanalyst.com/email
Let me know what you think of these short bonus episodes by emailing jed.herne1@gmail.com.
Also, if you want free sci-fi and fantasy stories by yours truly, go to jedherne.com/club. It’ll let you join my brand new Reader Club, and when you do that I’ll send you 5 free short stories, plus some exclusive bonus content.
26 - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J. K. Rowling - Ring Structure
I've wanted to do this for a long time, and it's finally here: an analysis of one of my top novels of all time ... In this episode, I dive super deep into the circular structure of Rowling's masterpiece. Be warned: you won't look at Harry Potter the same way after hearing this dissection ... Enjoy!
Shownotes:
Harry Potter as Ring Composition and Ring Cycle By John Granger http://www.lulu.com/au/en/shop/john-granger/harry-potter-as-ring-composition-and-ring-cycle/paperback/product-13042044.html
Harry Potter - Hedwig's Theme (Piano Version) Piano Version by Patrik Pietschmann https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTPXwbDtIpA
John Williams - Buckbeak's Flight (Extended) | London Symphony Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLiXPbjaZrA
Twitter: @JedHerne
Email: jed.herne1 [at] gmail.com
Website: novelanalyst.com
Join my VIP email list: novelanalyst.com/email
Send in a voice message:
https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message
25 - Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo - The Art of Setting Descriptions. In this fantastic YA fantasy novel, the town of Ketterdam is a living, breathing, three-dimensional creation: as much a character as any of the other (brilliant) characters in this story. Bardugo is a master of making a setting come to life. In today's in-depth episode, I analyse a scene to extract key techniques writers can use to improve their setting descriptions. No mourners, no funerals. Shownotes: Twitter: @JedHerne Email: jed.herne1 [at] gmail.com Website: novelanalyst.com Join my VIP email list: novelanalyst.com/email
23 - The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams pt. 1 - Why Characters Don't Matter. This absurdly funny sci-fi comedy is a fantastic example of how you don't always need amazing characters to create an amazing story. Buckle up as we use Orson Scott Card's MICE quotient to analyse what makes this novel work. And remember: don't panic! Shownotes: http://www.sfcenter.ku.edu/Workshop-stuff/MICE-Quotient.htm Twitter: @JedHerne Email: jed.herne1 [at] gmail.com Website: novelanalyst.com Join my VIP email list: novelanalyst.com/email
22 - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - Finding your Perfect Prose. Fitzgerald's classic chronicle of the Jazz age is often praised for its wonderful prose. In this episode, I examine what makes his prose so stylistically appealing - and we look at how you can write better prose. Keep beating on, boats against the current! Shownotes: Twitter: @JedHerne Email: jed.herne1 [at] gmail.com Website: novelanalyst.com Join my VIP email list: novelanalyst.com/email