Writing Excuses

Hosted ByBrandon Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal, Dan Wells & Howard Tayler

Brandon Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, and Daniel Wells discuss writing techniques in a fast-paced, 15-minute format.


All Episodes

Writing Excuses Bonus Episode 1: Remembering Gary Gygax

Brandon, Howard and Dan talk about their first exposure to RPG games, Gary Gygax and the influence he had on them and the industry.

Writing Excuses Episode 5: Heroes and Protagonists

What makes a good hero? Why is Dirk Pitt so cool? Why do people like Superman? And why does Howard-with-a-chest-cold start to sound like Barry White? Some of these questions are answered in this episode while others are better left unexplained. –

Writing Excuses Episode 4: Beginnings

The first line of any story is the most important. – People get drawn in to a book because of the first line. – Brandon, Howard and Dan talk about how to start a book and what’s important about the first line.

Writing Excuses Episode 3: Killing your Darlings

How do you make your novel better? Sometimes you have to cut out the part you like best. Don’t believe me? Before I posted this I had attached an image of a chimp wearing a tux. – Brandon’s Deleted Scenes – Howard’s Original Time-Travel Outline

Writing Excuses Episode 2: Blending the Familiar and the Original

How do you know when your setting of high school kids solve supernatural mysteries becomes cliché?  Brandon, Howard and Dan discuss how you create unique concepts by blending familiar topics with something new and original and how to avoid possible pit…

Writing Excuses Episode 1: Brainstorming

Brandon, Howard and Dan discuss where their ideas come from and Howard tells us a little too much about his love of Pepsi. – wikidPad Home Page

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