Writing Excuses 10.10 – Q&A with I Ching

by | Jul 12, 2017 | Exercises, Originals

Podcast Notes: The I Ching is a collection of poems that you consult with sticks. There are numbers on the sticks that correspond to poems. You throw a stick, and then read the poem. Philip K. Dick actually consulted the I Ching when he was writing “Man in High...

Writing Excuses 10.9: Where is my story coming from?

by | Jul 11, 2017 | Exercises, Originals

Podcast notes: This next series of podcasts is about structure. When sitting down to write a story, make a clear decision about TONE and GENRE. Tone is more important of the two, since tone can vary so much in any given genre. Think about what emotion you are trying...

Writing Excuses 10.8 – Q&A on Character

by | Jul 10, 2017 | Exercises, Originals

Podcast notes: Often in storytelling, the villain has already arrived at their moment of ‘power’ and it’s the protagonist who must rise to that level How can you give a flawed character an arc overcoming those flaws without losing what made them...

Writing Excuses 10.7 – Who are all these people?

by | Jul 8, 2017 | Exercises, Originals

Podcast notes: We’re talking about casting your book, and how to keep them distinct from each other, big cast or small Who needs to be in the story in order for the plot to move forward. “Spear carriers” are scenery, they are background, they do not...