Writing Excuses 6: Flaws Versus Handicaps

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Writing Excuses 6: Flaws Versus Handicaps
from http://www.writingexcuses.com/2008/03/16/writing-excuses-episode-6-flaws-vs-handicaps/

Internal or external, who's in control? Why do readers want characters with flaws? And how, as a writer, do you mix and match your characters and their flaws? This episode looked at those questions...
( And the answers are behind the curtain . . .  )

Next, villains! So get your mustache wax out and get ready.

Writing Excuses 7: Villains

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Writing Excuses 7: Villains
from http://www.writingexcuses.com/2008/03/23/writing-excuses-episode-7-villains/

This episode talked about villains. Understandable villains are usually interesting, and there is a least the possibility of redemption lurking for them. All-powerful villains provide interesting conflict, but there is little connection with them. Villains have different goals from the protagonist, and may be overcome by their flaws.
( The Filler . . . )

Final words

1. Villains think they are the heroes of their own stories
2. Good villains are very logical
3. Take a look at the evil overlord list: try to give your villain weaknesses and motivations without making him an idiot

Writing Excuses 8: Science Fiction Genre

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Writing Excuses 8: Science Fiction Genre

This episode of writing excuses looked at writing science fiction. We write science fiction to explore "what if" and especially new things, with science fiction focusing on the conceivably possible while fantasy takes us into the largely impossible. One thing that science fiction demands is a knowledge of the sciences or at least a respect for accuracy, and the need to know what has been done before so that you can actually write about new things.
( Some bits and pieces . . .  )

My own favorite notion was that when we take a voyage of exploration and discovery, we really need to go somewhere new.

Writing Excuses 9: Sci-Fi Sub-genres

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Writing Excuses 9: Sci-Fi Sub-genres
from http://www.writingexcuses.com/2008/04/06/writing-excuses-episode-9-sci-fi-sub-genre/
( The Little Stuff )

So - Space Opera goes out there and has an adventure, Mil SF lets the Space Marines kick butt, Hard SF means you gotta get the science right, and Cyberpunk can't pass a Turing test? How's that for a misguided summary?

Writing Excuses #10: Pacing (unauthorized summary)

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Writing Excuses #10: Pacing

From http://www.writingexcuses.com/

Pacing: How do we keep the tension up, keep it snappy?
( snip, snap, keep it tight . . .  )

And that's a wrap, jam-packed with good stuff! Soon to be followed by #11: The Business of Writing.