Writing Excuses Episode 16

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Writing Excuses 16: BIC HOK

High points:

BIC HOK means put your Butt In the Chair and keep your Hands On the Keyboard.
Figure out what is blocking you -- writers block comes in different flavors.
Figure out what motivates you. Schedule pressure, writing the ending first, whatever it is, use it.

From http://www.writingexcuses.com/2008/05/25/writing-excuses-episode-16-butt-in-chair-hands-on-keyboard/
( Notes )

Writing Prompt

Write a story about something unusual stopping a novelist from finishing his or her book.

Back next week.

Writing Excuses #17: This Sucks and I'm a Horrible Writer

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Writing Excuses #17: This Sucks and I'm a Horrible Writer

http://www.writingexcuses.com/2008/06/01/writing-excuses-episode-17-this-sucks-and-im-a-horrible-writer/

The podcast started with a vocal flub that I won't try to reproduce, except that it led to the theme being "15 minutes because you're in a hurry, and we're apparently all high."
( oops . . . )

Consider this as the first line of your piece.

Barry knew his mumbling was going to get him killed someday.

Go, write.

Writing Excuses Episode 18: Questions and Answers At Conduit

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Writing Excuses Episode 18: Questions and Answers At Conduit

http://www.writingexcuses.com/2008/06/08/writing-excuses-episode-18-qa-at-conduit/

Guest Star: Dan Willis

Distinct voices for characters, finishing your story, avoiding second act slump, and naming characters - you asked for it, you got it!

( Questions and Answers )

Writing Excuses Episode 19: Plot Twists

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Writing Excuses Episode 19: Plot Twists

http://www.writingexcuses.com/2008/06/15/writing-excuses-episode-19-plot-twists/

Guest Star: Michael Stackpole

15 minutes long, because you're in a hurry and Mike Stackpole is that smart.
( Plot Twists and other barbed plots )

Some Key Ideas I pulled out:

• Plot twists - surprising, yet inevitable.
  
• Don't dilute the impact -- make it strong, quick, and hurt a lot.
  
• Effective plot twists are well foreshadowed -- but you probably do that in revision.
  
• You also need misdirection and red herrings.
  
• Plot twists fulfill your promises, but not the way that the reader expects.
  
• Keep the reader guessing!

Writing Excuses Episode 20: More Q&A from Conduit

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Writing Excuses Episode 20: More Q&A from Conduit

http://www.writingexcuses.com/2008/06/22/writing-excuses-episode-20-more-qa-from-conduit/

Guest writer: Eric James Stone

The short and sweet? Do you need plot twists? Yep, but not necessarily always world changers. Speculations about the changing market. How do you make heroes as interesting as villians? Conflict and action!
( More details . . . )

And a voice announced, "We're all blimps anyways."

Amidst a flurry of thankyou, thankyou very much, the podcast ended.