Writing Excuses Season Two Episode 16: World Building -- Non-Human Races

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Writing Excuses Season Two Episode 16: World Building -- Non-Human Races

From http://www.writingexcuses.com/2009/01/25/writing-excuses-season-2-episode-16-non-human-races/

Key points: nonhuman races add a sense of wonder to the setting. Don't just borrow Tolkien-esque races. Brandon will almost always focus mostly on humans, maybe. Avoid making an important characteristic a defining theme. Even nonhuman races are individuals. What do they want?
( the script )

[Brandon] The writing prompt is to write...
[Howard] Create a believable alien and write something from his perspective.
[Brandon] There you go.
[Dan] Perfect.

Writing Excuses Season Two Episode 17: Website Marketing for Authors

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Writing Excuses Season Two Episode 17: Website Marketing for Authors

From http://www.writingexcuses.com/2009/02/02/writing-excuses-season-2-episode-17-website-marketing-for-authors/

Key points: think about what you are doing with your website. Billboard, bonus stuff, event scheduling? Updates keep readers coming back. Get your domain name now. Think about how you present yourself, because someone might read it.
( hard-hitting conversation about websites )

[Brandon] This has been Writing Excuses. Your writing prompt is a story about the worst website ever.
[Howard] Ooh. I hope I don't make that story.

Writing Excuses Season Two Episode 18: World Building Governments

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Writing Excuses Season Two Episode 18: World Building Governments

From http://www.writingexcuses.com/2009/02/08/writing-excuses-season-2-episode-18-world-building-governments/

Key points: Monarchies put a face on the government, and may simplify the plot, since it is easier to vilify one person or relate to them. Science fiction often uses loosely tied states because travel delays make it likely. When you are world building, why do you want political intrigue in your book? Exaggerate. Where are the conflicts in the government? Where does the power come from? The more the reader knows about how things work, the more the protagonist can use those rules to solve problems. What can common citizens do, or not do? Take two steps away.
( mukluks )

[Brandon] All right. You have your Writing Prompt. Unfortunately, you need to write a government run by colon cleansers.
[Dan] That is correct. Let's change it for more creativity. Start with the colon cleansers concept, and then remove it two steps away.
[Howard] Oh, there's poo everywhere.
[Brandon] I didn't do this. This wasn't my fault. This is been Writing Excuses. I'm sorry.

Writing Excuses Season Two Episode 19: Do creative writing classes help?

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Writing Excuses Season Two Episode 19: Do creative writing classes help?

From http://www.writingexcuses.com/2009/02/16/writing-excuses-season-2-episode-19-do-creative-writing-classes-help/

Key points: creative writing classes, panels at conventions, books on creative writing -- they can all be useful, but you have to want to learn. Learn about the business, learn to be accountable for your own productivity. Ask yourself -- without the magic, without the robots, without the fantastic elements, is there still a story here? The range of human ability that we are born with is miniscule compared to the range of human accomplishments, what you can do. Listen to suggestions, and don't be afraid to rework your writing from the ground up. You can learn, but you gotta really try.
( the class lecture )

[Brandon] This has been Writing Excuses. Your writing prompt is...
[Dan] Write a story about a golfing metaphor.
[Brandon] Thanks for listening.

Writing Excuses Season Two Episode 20: Marketing 101 for Creators

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Writing Excuses Season Two Episode 20: Marketing 101 for Creators

From http://www.writingexcuses.com/2009/02/22/writing-excuses-season-2-episode-20-marketing-101-for-creators/

Key points: Promotion, advertising, public relations, or publicity are only part of marketing. Marketing includes pricing, promotion, positioning, and product. Start with positioning: who am I selling to and what makes me different. Know your market, and what differentiates you. Know your message -- the core of what you want to do -- and the delivery method for that message. Something that will grab people in 10 seconds.
( many words )

[Howard] Okay. This has been Writing Excuses episode 20. And the writing prompt: come up with 25 words that distill everything that you want to say about your next work.
[Brandon] Thanks for listening.
[No idea] Dun, dun, dun
[another voice] Lalala.