START WRITING Podcast: “Writing Her Story: A heartfelt conversation with Gail Carson Levine” “DAMN FINE SPACE OPERA!” — James Wolfhampton Get your copy of STARCHILD today! http://starchild1.jwashburn.com * * * This episode is dedicated to my daughter. It’s an interview with Gail Carson Levine. I am sure you are familiar with her book Ella Enchanted…

SW 136 INT “WHAT IS LitRPG?” Interview with KEVIN SINCLAIR, author of the Creation’s Bane novels! “DAMN FINE SPACE OPERA!” — James Wolfhampton Get your copy of STARCHILD today! http://starchild1.jwashburn.com * * *Today I’m excited to introduce Kevin Sinclair! He writes LitRPG, which I had heard about, but before I read his book, I’d never read the…

START WRITING Podcast: “How to write in someone else’s world,” an interview with William C. Dietz, author of Star Wars, Halo, StarCraft, Hitman, and Mass Effect novels! “DAMN FINE SPACE OPERA!” — James Wolfhampton Get your copy of STARCHILD today! http://starchild1.jwashburn.com * * *I’m a fan of the StarCraft videogames, and I recently read a spin…

Subscribe to THE INFORMANT to get a free copy of STEALING INDIANA JONES! http://theinformant.jwashburn.com Buy Stealing Indiana Jones on Kindle: http://stealingindy.jwashburn.com Buy Stealing Indiana Jones on Audible: http://stealingindyaudio.jwashburn.com * * * WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://www.youtube.com/@JWashburnau…

Subscribe to THE INFORMANT to get a free copy of STEALING INDIANA JONES! http://theinformant.jwashburn.com Buy Stealing Indiana Jones on Kindle: http://stealingindy.jwashburn.com Buy Stealing Indiana Jones on Audible: http://stealingindyaudio.jwashburn.com * * * WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://www.youtube.com/@JWashburnau…

AUDIBLE: http://stealingindyaudio.jwashburn.com/ KINDLE: http://stealingindy.jwashburn.com/ NEWSLETTER: http://theinformant.jwashburn.com/ EMAIL: me@jwashburn.com SW SPECIAL STEALING INDIANA JONES: An essay on inspiration and death and how George Lucas hijacked the greatest stories of our time.†“[Stealing Indy] will pique your intellect and break y…

Subscribe to THE INFORMANT to get a free copy of STEALING INDIANA JONES! http://theinformant.jwashburn.com Buy Stealing Indiana Jones on Kindle: http://stealingindy.jwashburn.com Buy Stealing Indiana Jones on Audible: http://stealingindyaudio.jwashburn.com * * *WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/vY3Q0CpGEWw * * * Rob MacGregor w…

Start Writing interview with author Max McCoy: CAN INDIANA JONES TIME TRAVEL? Subscribe to THE INFORMANT to get a free copy of STEALING INDIANA JONES! http://theinformant.jwashburn.com Buy Stealing Indiana Jones on Kindle: http://stealingindy.jwashburn.com Buy Stealing Indiana Jones on Audible: http://stealingindyaudio.jwashburn.com * * * WATCH ON …

SW INT 130 Rennie Saunders talks SHUT UP & WRITEIn this episode, we talk to Rennue Saunders, founder of Shut Up & Write, and organization designed to give writers camaraderie and motivation to complete their writing goals. Watch the interview video here: https://youtu.be/RGKwlIEBmpM * * * LET’S BE FRIENDS:If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestar…

SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 10) EDITING TOGETHERWATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/wsDodceAOqg Episode 10 of A BEGINNER'S GUIDE to Writing a Novel teach about getting feedback from peers and readers. First, Raiders of the Lost Ark is an excellent example of how to cut all but the best stuff. The Legend of Zelda Ocarina…

SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 9) EDITING ALONE WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/dcrIFhpq6HY Episode 9 of A BEGINNER'S GUIDE to Writing a Novel teaches you how to be a damn fine editor. We talk about when you should NOT be editing. The different levels of editing are CONTENT, CHAPTER, and COPY editing, and we review exa…

SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 8) SUBPLOTS (Joe’s favorite episode) WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/HOYNat1l03Y Episode 8 of A BEGINNER'S GUIDE to Writing a Novel teaches you how to do subplots. First, we review PLOT CLOCKS. Then we look at a model called SUBPLOT RAINBOWS. We follow along with how J.K. Rowling outlined…

SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 7) PLOT CLOCK WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/zR-IPvGfAbg Episode 7 of A BEGINNER'S GUIDE to Writing a Novel teaches you how J Washburn structures a story using a PLOT CLOCK! The main points of this clock are (1) HOOK, (2) PLEDGE, (3) TURN, (4) PRESTIGE, (5) FINALE. We take an in-depth lo…

SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 6) PLOT FROM SCRATCH WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/_dWnYmQ83M8 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?…

OUR PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/StartWritingPodcastWATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/Ggg13QPw8qs Ray's RUNNING OFF THE RAILS podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/running-off-the-rails/id1546572690https://pca.st/podcast/6c329090-2adc-0139-32e0-0acc26574db2https://runningofftherails.com/WEAVE BREAKER D&D build: https://www.dmsguild.co…

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YaUGPWGYM0wJeanne 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 o…

SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 5) VILLAINSWATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/9aTS_YrWPhI HOMEWORK: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IYvaxzh7cfys4LP6CJZqje1wspxuNy5U-970mH7EvMY/edit?usp=sharingEpisode 5 of A BEGINNER'S GUIDE to Writing a Novel is about how to create DEEP CHARACTERS. This means making them dynamic. Villa…

WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/6I_9yB4vojs 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 yo…

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…

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…

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/dB37b0tUIzs Let us know what you think: me@jwashburn.comPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

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.comPatreon.com/startwritingpodcastWebsite: http://joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing…

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.comPatreon.com/startwritingpodcastWebsite: http://joseph-bendoski.c…

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/StartWritingPodcastEmail: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.comPatreon.com/startwritingpodcastWebsite: http://joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing…

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.comPatreon.com/startwritingpodcastWebsite: http://joseph-bendoski.com/start-writingHills Like White Elephantshttps://miettecast.com/2005/06/22/hills-like-white-elephants/…

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.comPatreon.com/startwritingpodcastWebsite: http://joseph-bendoski.com/start-writingPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

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.comjbendoski@gmail.comPatreon.com/startwritingpodcastPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

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.comjbendoski@gmail.comPatreon.com/startwritingpodcastPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

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.comjbendoski@gmail.comPatreon.com/startwritingpodcastPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

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-writingEmail: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.comjbendoski@gmail.comPatreon.com/startwritingpodcastPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

We begin our journey into dialogue and start with the basics. Email: jbendoski@gmail.com Web: JosephBendoski.com/Start-WritingPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

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

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-WritingEmail: jbendoski@gmail.comPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

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-WritingPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

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

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

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.…

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.comPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

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-WritingPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

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

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.comPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

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-writingPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

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.comPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

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.comPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

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.comPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

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

We discuss the two short stories you have to write, why and what to do with them.Por Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

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.comPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

We interview Jenna Meoreci about her Patreon and Youtube author marketing. joseph-bendoski.com/star-writing. jbendoski@gmail.comPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn

How to differentiate your characters so your readers don't get confused. jbendoski@gmail.com www.joseph-bendoski.com/start-writingPor Joseph Bendoski, J Washburn