Whether you’re writing a fairy tale retelling or just looking for inspiration, myths can provide a wealth of material to play with. Love, betrayal, war, politics, you name it–whatever you’re looking for, there’s a myth to help you. Myths can also serve as mini masterclasses in plot structure, for the framework on which the stories… Read more »
Hey there word nerds! Today I am delighted to have Sebastien de Castell on the show! Sebastien is the author of the four part Greatcoats series which includes Traitor’s Blade, Knight’s Shadow, Saint’s Blood, and most recently Tyrant’s Throne. Before coming to writing Sebastien bounced around from careers as diverse as archaeologist and fight choreographer,… Read more »
For the longest time, I only considered myself a contemporary young adult writer. I’d fallen in love with realistic teen stories, and I thought I’d found my writing niche. Last year, with three completed YA manuscripts under my belt, I started brainstorming my next idea. I decided to share my outline and first couple of… Read more »
We’ve already talked about how characters, plot, and conflict are frequent sources of literary themes. But one building block of storytelling that we haven’t covered yet is setting. It’s as important as the other three “blocks,” using location, time period, and other elements to play a pivotal role in the external conflict and the protagonist’s… Read more »
Like many writers, I write because I can’t imagine not doing it—not because I always love writing. Some days, I decidedly don’t love it. Sometimes I have to write even when I’m not inspired (that’s what it means to have a career rather than a hobby). So I’ve developed techniques to keep my butt in… Read more »
Hey there word nerds! Today I have the pleasure of hosting Gina Cascone and Bryony Williams Sheppard on the show. This mother-daughter powerhouse team has co-authored the picture book Around the World Right Now, a multicultural adventure through our world’s 24 time zones. Gina is the author of 30 books in several different genres, and Bryony… Read more »
So you’ve made the commitment to write a creative nonfiction essay. Maybe it’s for your blog or, if you’re lucky, someone is paying you to write about your experiences. But how much of that piece should be about you? Where do you draw the line between yourself and the research that you owe to your… Read more »
“I’ve read all of John Grisham’s books. What other legal fiction authors would you recommend?” This is probably the most common reading question I’m asked at my day job as a librarian. For a long time, there was only one other author that wrote like Grisham – Scott Turow. Turow is often credited with inventing… Read more »
When I set out to write The Hawkweed Prophecy, I was struck by the idea of two girls switched at birth and the teenagers they’d become. I had never written a novel before. At this point, I had just finished the script for The Little Prince and had worked with a team, turning in drafts… Read more »
Today I am delighted to have debut novelist Katherine Nouri Hughes on the show! Kate is publishing her debut, The Mapmaker’s Daughter, at the age of 67. Her book is a remarkable feat not only in its scope, but in its depth. Listen in as we discuss the different and largely unknown (in western culture)… Read more »
