Start Writing

SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 6) PLOT FROM SCRATCH

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2022 35:50

SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 6) PLOT FROM SCRATCH WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/i4lClv8DSF4 Episode 6 of A BEGINNER'S GUIDE to Writing a Novel is the easiest way to write a plot! We start with a letter from a listener, and we address questions like these: - Should I write my story from the finale and work backward? - Should I just figure out the plot as I go or should I write an outline? - How does George Martin plan his FANTASY NOVELS? - How do you fix a broken plot? - Is it faster to just skip outlining and just start writing? - What models can I structure my plot around? - What's the absolute simplest way to think of plot? If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestartwriting@gmail.com * * * Buy our books! JOSEPH BENDOSKI: https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Bendoski/e/B06XX7LYKL J WASHBURN: http://library.jwashburn.com/

guide writing beginners plot scratch george martin

SW 129 INT Raymond O'Connor: Stop letting stories die inside you!

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2022 56:32

OUR PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/StartWritingPodcast WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/diRbwOday_c Ray's RUNNING OFF THE RAILS podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/running-off-the-rails/id1546572690 https://pca.st/podcast/6c329090-2adc-0139-32e0-0acc26574db2 https://runningofftherails.com/ WEAVE BREAKER D&D build: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/351499/The-Weave-Breaker--The-Ultimate-Spell-Sword-Class https://www.reddit.com/r/UnearthedArcana/comments/meh5ff/the_weave_breaker_the_ultimate_spell_sword_class/ GETTING STARTED IN D&D https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkVdb9Yr8fc05_VbAVfskCA

stories stop letting

SW 128 INT Jeanne Cavelos: Scifi author and founder of OdysseyWorkshop.org

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2022 56:49

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HHTHEKlHZd8 Jeanne Cavelos is an author, editor, scientist, and writing coach. In this episode, we talk about several of her works, including THE SCIENCE OF STAR WARS, several BABYLON 5 novels, and her upcoming near-future scifi novel called FATAL SPIRAL. She is the founder of a nonprofit that brings out the best in writers called the ODYSSEY WRITING WORKSHOP. Apply to the Personal Odyssey Workshop here: http://www.odysseyworkshop.org Read some writing tips on the Odyssey Workshop Blog: https://odysseyworkshop.wordpress.com/ Listen to the Odyssey Workshop Podcast: https://www.odysseyworkshop.org/resources/podcasts/ [NOTE FROM J: Sorry for the audio quality in this episode. That's my mistake. But I'm absolutely delighted to have had this conversation with Jeanne. And my thanks to you for listening!]

founders sci fi babylon odyssey writing workshop jeanne cavelos

SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 5) VILLAINS

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2022 47:15

SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 5) VILLAINS WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/egTvuOQI6Ns HOMEWORK: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IYvaxzh7cfys4LP6CJZqje1wspxuNy5U-970mH7EvMY/edit?usp=sharing Episode 5 of A BEGINNER'S GUIDE to Writing a Novel is about how to create DEEP CHARACTERS. This means making them dynamic. Villains can be the opposite of heroes, meaning they're dislikable and bad. Or villains can simply have opposing goals, ones that conflict with what they hero wants. These villains are not bad by nature, but they provide antagonism in a competitive, zero-sum game. http://www.jwashburn.com J Washburn is the author of STARCHILD, an epic space opera about a rogue pilot in a galactic revolution.

guide writing beginners villains starchild

SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 4) TIPS FOR HEROES

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2021 37:12

WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/j48hHK6TUd0 Episode 4 of A BEGINNER'S GUIDE to Writing a Novel gives you tips on how to create real and empathetic characters: Keep your cast small. Make every character physically and emotionally unique. Make sure readers can find the right button on the microwave. Use simple tags to remind your readers of a personality. Don't be afraid to use repetition. Use a character outline to find the deeper emotional needs. Focus on VISION, INITIATIVE, and SPIRIT. Don't make your hero too abnormal. NEEDS WASHED: http://archive.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2007/11/11/lawn_needs_cut/ HOMEWORK: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IYvaxzh7cfys4LP6CJZqje1wspxuNy5U-970mH7EvMY/

spirit vision guide writing focus heroes beginners initiative

SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 3) HEROIC EQ

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2021 43:40

Episode 3 of A BEGINNER'S GUIDE to Writing a Novel teaches about building characters from the ground up. In this episode, J Washburn and Joe Bendoski tag team in a lecture that covers emotional intelligence, mimicry, and character names. We look at examples from Charles Dickens, George Lucas, J.K. Rowling, and George R.R. Martin. To see the visuals from the slide deck, check out this episode of Start Writing on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uVdnrFxhscg

guide writing beginners george lucas charles dickens rowling heroic george r start writing

SW SPECIAL J's Beginner's Guide (part 2) WORLDBUILDING

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2021 51:41

This episode covers how J Washburn goes through the worldbuilding process. He touches on examples from J.K. Rowling, Brandon Sanderson, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. He explains how to make a Story Bible. Oh, and maybe most importantly, he teaches you about finding and defining your genre. Watch the episode on YouTube if you want to see the slides: https://youtu.be/7Gyd-Lyn4bo

guide beginners rowling worldbuilding scott fitzgerald brandon sanderson

SW SPECIAL J's Beginner's Guide to Writing a Novel (part 1)

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2021 42:51

We've had a lot of listeners ask us where to start. Our backlog spans many years! So this is meant to be tips for a beginner. It was put together with J as the lead, rather than Joe. See the video version here: https://youtu.be/rogG8TCFQtc Let us know what you think: me@jwashburn.com

writing beginner's guide

SW 122 Marketing Group: Email Super-fan Model

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2021 45:42

In the marketing group, we discuss the Email Super-fan Model approach and talk about how it can change how you run FB ads, how to set up the email chain, and what you are selling beyond just books. Email: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.com Patreon.com/startwritingpodcast Website: http://joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing

model fb superfan marketing group

SW 121 INT Bryan Collins - Dialogue in Non-Fiction

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2021 24:09

We talk to Bryan Collins about writing dialogue in non-fiction, and how journaling can be used to inform and fuel it. He talks about how he and other authors build a business around their non-fiction writing, and how time and events can change things. Email: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.com Patreon.com/startwritingpodcast Website: http://joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing

dialogue nonfiction

SW 120 Marketing Group: Facebook & Amazon Ads Phase 1

Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2021 42:09

We take a very detailed look at Facebook & Amazon ads, setting them up, evaluating them, and targeting. There is a video that goes along with this on the Patreon Page. Video: https://www.patreon.com/StartWritingPodcast Email: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.com Patreon.com/startwritingpodcast Website: http://joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing

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SW 119 DIS: Dialogue: Switchtracking

Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2021 22:52

We discuss what Swtichtracking and staying-on-your-own-track mean, and how to use them in dialogue to create tension and conflict. Email: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.com Patreon.com/startwritingpodcast Website: http://joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing Hills Like White Elephants https://miettecast.com/2005/06/22/hills-like-white-elephants/

dialogue

Don't Write-On-The-Nose But If You Do : SW 118 DIS

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2021 25:13

We talk about Writing-On-The-Nose and how to address it. We go over examples and explore how it is approached in different genres. Email: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.com Patreon.com/startwritingpodcast Website: http://joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing

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How to get a world class narrator to read your book: SW 117 INT Brett Godfrey

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2021 53:32

Brett Godfrey talks about how he writes dialogue. How he got one of the top narrators to take on his books, even though he had just launched it, and it's his first novel. Email: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.com jbendoski@gmail.com Patreon.com/startwritingpodcast

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How the same action beats can kill or build tension: SW 116 DIS Dialogue Part 2

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2021 23:16

We look at the body language of action beats and breakdown how it can be used to build tension in a scene and look at multi-layering your dialogue for better pacing, and less predictable lines. Email: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.com jbendoski@gmail.com Patreon.com/startwritingpodcast

action beats tension dialogue

SW 115 INT Dialogue With Sandra Montanino

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2021 43:16

Sandra Montanino talks about her new book, The Weight of Salt: A Gripping Story of Love and Courage and how she crafts dialogue. Email: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.com jbendoski@gmail.com Patreon.com/startwritingpodcast

love courage weight dialogue

SW 114 DIS Dialogue Part 2 -Actions Beats & Subtext

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2020 34:55

We continue our discussion on dialogue. This time we dig into action beats, one-actor-per-paragraph, subtext, stuffing for emphasis vs. shuffling for rhythm. Website: Joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing Email: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.com jbendoski@gmail.com Patreon.com/startwritingpodcast

beats dialogue subtext

SW 113 DIS Dialogue Part 1 - Grammar and Style

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2020 19:38

We begin our journey into dialogue and start with the basics. Email: jbendoski@gmail.com Web: JosephBendoski.com/Start-Writing

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SW 112 INT on Exposition: Micheal Abramson

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2020 37:07

We discuss some of the ways Micheal Abramson handled exposition is his novel Dominant Trait. www.Joseph-Bendoski.com/Start-Writing jbendoski@gmail.com

micheal exposition abramson start writing

SW 111 INT Exposition Part 5 - Other Perspectives

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2020 35:14

We talk with Mark Everglade, T. K. Young, and Joseph Hurtgen about their views on exposition, and how they handled it in their own novels.Website: Joseph-Bendoski.com/Start-Writing Email: jbendoski@gmail.com

young perspectives exposition

SW 110 DIS Exposition Part 4 - Essential Parts

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2020 38:35

We cover interiority and the essential parts of the exposition that are needed for the story to work. Email us at: jbendoski@gmail.com or visit our website Joseph-Bendoski.com/Start-Writing

essential exposition start writing

SW109 DIS Exposition: Part 3

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2020 30:20

We are still talking about exposition, backstory, and flashbacks. email: jbendoski@gmail.com website: Joseph-Bendoski.com/Start-Writing

exposition start writing

SW108 DIS Exposition: Part 2

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2020 31:36

We continue our discussion on EXPOSITION with examples from The Expanse and John Updike. Email: jbendoski@gmail.com Website: Joseph-Bendoski.com/Start-Writing

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SW107 DIS Exposition: Part 1

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2020 28:44

If Start Wars cut all exposition we wouldn't get this line, "Luke, I am your father." We talk about techniques to make exposition work and bring more life into your work. Visit our site JosephBendoski.com/Start-Writing or send us an email: jbendoski@gmail.com. Pick up the material for the examples on our website and help support the show.

exposition start writing

SW106 DIS Chapter Cliffhangers

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2019 28:53

We discuss how to end chapters with cliffhangers, and what are the essential components that make a cliffhanger work, and what needs to come after. Website: Joseph-Bendoski/Start-Writing Email:jbendoski@gmail.com

cliffhangers

SW105 DIS Ambiguous Endings

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2019 24:44

We discuss why ambiguous endings are used, and how to make them work, and how to know if they are right for the story you are working on. Contact:jbendoski@gmail.com website: JosephBendoski.com/start-writing

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SW104 DIS The End with Cliffhangers

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2019 26:36

We discuss why you would end a book with a cliffhanger, the risks, and rewards of doing it, and look at some examples that have ended stories with cliffhangers successfully. Contact us: jbendoski@gmail.com or visit us for show notes at JosephBendoski.com/Start-Writing

cliffhangers start writing

SW103 DIS Elements of a Happy Ending

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2019 25:14

We continue our discussion of ending with a specific focus on happy ones. email us jbendoski@gmail.com or visit our site www.josephbendoski.com

elements happy ending

SW 102 DIS Elements of THE END

Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2019 34:03

We look at how to make an ending satisfying, different types of endings, and the reason they work. email: jbendoski@gmail.com Website: Joseph-Bendoski/Start-Writing.com

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SW101 DIS Villains and Antagonists: Part 2

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2019 35:32

We discuss the differences and importance of political villains and physical villains among other things. Email us at jbendoski@gmail.com Website: joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing

villains antagonists

SW100 DIS Emotional Genres

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2019 40:49

We discuss the chemistry and style behind writing for specific genres and what emotional experiences readers are looking for. Website: Joseph-Bendoski.com/Start-Writing Email: jbendoski@gmail.com

emotional genres start writing

SW099 DIS Expand the Scene

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2019 24:20

We discuss how to slow down and expand scene, and which type to use for different kinds of scenes and stories. joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing email:jbendoski@gmail.com

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SW098 DIS Villains and Antagonists Part 1

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2018 33:33

We discuss the making of great villains and antagonist and why it's such an important part of the story. joesph-bendoski.com/start-writing jbendoski@gmail.com

villains antagonists

SW097 DIS Story Focus: Lisa Cron Part 2

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2018 23:43

www.joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing We discuss how the protagonist builds the structure of the story and why it's important.

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SW096 DIS Essential Short Stories

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2018 27:34

We discuss the two short stories you have to write, why and what to do with them.

essential short stories

SW095 MAR Patreon

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2018 41:32

We cover everything we've learned about Patreon from various interviews, and our own research and put it all together for you. website Joseph-Bendoski.com/start-writing email: jbendoski@gmail.com

SW094 INT Jenna Moreci: Patreon 3

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2018 73:15

We interview Jenna Meoreci about her Patreon and Youtube author marketing. joseph-bendoski.com/star-writing. jbendoski@gmail.com

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SW093 DIS Character Differentiation

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2018 24:59

How to differentiate your characters so your readers don't get confused. jbendoski@gmail.com www.joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing

character differentiation

SW092 INT Lori Pum: Story Grid

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2018 51:36

We interview a certified Story Grid editor about how this story method works, and how different elements of the story connect to each other. www.joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing

story grid

SW091 DIS Tropes

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2018 16:14

We discuss what tropes are how to use them improve the pacing of your story and cut exposition. www.joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing

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SW090 INT Thorn Coyle: Patreon

Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2018 34:42

We talk to Thorn Coyle about her experience with Patreon and how she grows her audience there. www.joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing

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SW089 GRA Whom Should Die

Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2018 16:41

We discuss when to use "whom" and why there is so much confusion, and you should definitely and always say "funnest!" www.joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing

SW088 MAR Instafreebie

Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2018 25:10

We discuss what Instafreebie is and how to use it to get more reviews, subscribers, and generate interest in your book. www.joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing

instafreebie