Paula B http://www.writingshow.com Where writing is always the story Information and Inspiration for Writers en-us Copyright The Writing Show 2008 Paula Berinstein paula@compulsivecreative.com paula@compulsivecreative.com paula@compulsivecreative.com Sun, 20 Jul 2008 09:00:00 PDT Sun, 20 Ju1 2008 09:00:00 PDT writing books fiction nonfiction screenwriting publishing songwriting authors writers literature 60 Alretha Thomas With playwright, author, director Alretha Thomas Alretha Thomas' plays have received rave reviews. In this high-energy interview, we focus on two of them: a comedy, Reddie Maid Wife, and a drama, Sacrificing Simone. Please join Alretha and host Paula B. as they discuss: What she writes about and why Where she starts when she sets out to write a play Why she uses mistaken identity in her work, and what challenges she faces in using that device Why her works include so many characters What she's learned in directing her own work (and that of others) How her acting background has affected her writing What her overall approach to playwriting is. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/07202008.html Podcasts Sun, 20 Jul 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/227.0 53:10 writing writers plays drama theater stage comedy Alretha Thomas Writing Show podcasts Jim Nevling and Ann Paden With writer Jim Nevling and editor Ann Paden With this podcast, we launch our new makeover series. In this fascinating and fun hands-on set of programs, our editors will critique and help you polish your work while The Writing Show community looks on. We start with writer Jim Nevling and the first chapter of his novel Burned. Editor Ann Paden critiques. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/07132008.html Podcasts Sun, 13 Jul 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/226.0 01:10:33 writing writers novels fiction editing editors rewrites makeover Jim Nevling Ann Paden Writing Show podcasts Paula Berinstein With Writing Show host Paula B. On our March 16th show, I explained the importance of the writer's voice and read 14 examples of distinctive voices from well-known authors. Now I reveal the identities of the mystery authors and the names of their works. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/06292008.html Podcasts Sun, 29 Jun 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/225.0 17:18 writing writers authors voice style fiction novels Paula Berinstein Writing Show podcasts Jean Tennant With author Jean Tennant Since September of 2006, we've been following Jean as she attempts to find an agent to represent her intergenerational novel Karaoke Nights at the Twilight Lounge. In episode 8, we hear what Jean is going to do about Karaoke Nights, which has not garnered interest from agents. We find out how her children's picture book turned out and learn that she's changed her mind about self-publishing (something she never thought she'd do). http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/06262008.html Podcasts Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/224.0 52:13 writing writers agents reality show Jean Tennant publishing getting published novels fiction Writing Show podcasts Diandra Leslie-Pelecky With Diandra Leslie-Pelecky, author of The Physics of NASCAR Many people think science is irrelevant to their daily lives. This week's guest has a surprise for them. Please join Diandra Leslie-Pelecky and Paula B. as they explore: Why anyone should care about the physics of auto racing What kinds of science she covers Why she inserted herself into the book How she keeps readers engaged How she documented everything she saw as she did her research How it felt to drive a race car Whether she financed her own travel How being on the front page of The New York Times has changed her life. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/06222008.html Podcasts Sun, 22 Jun 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/223.0 59:35 writing writers science physics NASCAR Diandra Leslie-Pelecky Writing Show podcasts Michael Van Ornum With Michael Van Ornum, author of Electronic Prescribing: A Safety and Implementation Guide This week's guest turned workplace issues into a how-to book for healthcare professionals. His proposition was so compelling that he found a publisher instantly, but he soon discovered that getting his foot in the door was the easy part of getting published. Please join Michael Van Ornum and host Paula B. as they explore: Why it takes so long to write a book proposal Why you should be very careful when listing potential reviewers of the book for your publisher Why you should research the company's catalogue How working without a contract can pay off (under certain circumstances) Why agents don't handle professional books How even when you know your business, you still have to prove yourself over and over. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/06152008.html Podcasts Sun, 15 Jun 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/222.0 01:11:19 writing writers healthcare books Michael Van Ornum Writing Show podcasts Paul Bernstein With Dr. Paul Bernstein, author of the novel Courage to Heal This week's guest has been so inspired by the life and accomplishments of one man that he wrote a book about him. Courage to Heal is the fictionalized account of the life of Dr. Sidney Garfield, who changed medicine forever. Please join Paul Bernstein and host Paula B. as they discuss: Why he wrote Sidney Garfield's true story as fiction Why he wrote it in the first person How he did his research Whether he stayed perfectly true to the facts Why most of the book is dialogue What U.S. medicine was like in the 1940s and why Dr. Garfield had to fight so hard to change it. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/06082008.html Podcasts Sun, 08 Jun 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/221.0 54:03 writing writers fiction novels Paul Bernstein Kaiser Permanente Sidney Garfield Writing Show podcasts Michelle V. Rafter With journalist Michelle V. Rafter and friends from LinkedIn This show came about in an unconventional way. Journalist Michelle V. Rafter had posted an open question on business network LinkedIn: "For freelancers, reporters and other non-fiction types: how do you write short?" The answers she got were so impressive that we thought, "This would make a great show!" And it does. Michelle's commentary and her responders' tips comprise this brief but pithy podcast full of great techniques for writing short. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/06012008.html Podcasts Sun, 01 Jun 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/220.0 34:22 writing writers journalism business writing Michelle Rafter Writing Show podcasts Randall Brown and Melissa Palladino With short story writers Randall Brown and Melissa Palladino If you've ever wondered how to end your short story, this show is for you. Please join Randall Brown, Melissa Palladino, and Paula B. as they explore the possibilities, including: What sorts of short story endings there are What the pros and cons of each choice are Whether particular types of endings are best suited to certain genres or types of stories What sorts of endings don't work How short story endings differ from those of novels and films How short story endings have changed over time. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/05252008.html Podcasts Sun, 25 May 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/219.0 58:27 writing writers short stories Melissa Palladino Randall Brown Writing Show podcasts Catherine Ann Jones With Catherine Ann Jones, author of The Way of Story This week's guest believes there's a vital connection between the self and the story one tells and explains why each writer must make a personal journey. Please join Catherine Ann Jones and Paula B. as they explore: How stories and the self are connected How writers can journey into the self How story is important to people who don't write What determines the success of a story How memory helps writers What the role of the writer in society is. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/05182008.html Podcasts Sun, 18 May 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/218.0 46:20 writing writers Catherine Ann Jones Writing Show podcasts Staci Robinson and David S. Korzenik With Staci Robinson, author of Interceptions, and attorney David Korzenik We hear from a writer who found herself in the thick of a copyright infringement suit against a Hollywood production company and network, and an intellectual property attorney who helps us understand the issues involved. Please join Staci Robinson, David Korzenik, and host Paula B. for a fascinating look at intellectual property issues, including: Why so many suits are brought against Hollywood production companies, and why it's so hard for writers to win them Whether the settlement of a case implies guilt How idea theft, plagiarism, and breach of contract differ. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/05112008.html Podcasts Sun, 11 May 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/217.0 1:00:46 writing writers plagiarism idea theft intellectual property copyright Staci Robinson David Korzenik Writing Show podcasts Judy A. Bernstein With Judy A. Bernstein, co-author of They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky: The Story of Three Lost Boys from Sudan Benjamin Ajak, Benson Deng, and Alephonsion Deng were all under the age of seven when they were driven from a war-ravaged country. In this deceptively understated memoir, the three boys recall in their own words their harrowing journey to safety. Please join Judy Bernstein and host Paula B. as they ponder: How the three learned to write so well How much editing was involved How Judy integrated their disparate stories How writing the book affected all of them What's next for Benjamin, Alepho, Benson, and Judy. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/05042008.html Podcasts Sun, 04 May 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/216.0 58:12 writing writers memoirs Sudan Judy Bernstein Writing Show podcasts Paula Berinstein With Writing Show host Paula B. Paula B. introduces our 2008 First-Chapter Contest judges. http://www.writingshow.com/articles/news/contest/04232008_judges_2008.html Podcasts Thu, 01 May 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/215.0 13:33 writing writers contests competitions novels fiction novels Writing Show podcasts Paula Berinstein With Writing Show host Paula B. In our first show on dialogue, we looked at the importance of character agenda. This time we'll examine at a structural issue: interweaving dialogue with narrative. Using examples from Ian Rankin's A Question of Blood and advice from Dialogue: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Effective Dialogue by Gloria Kempton, we'll test the proposition "When the story is moving too slowly, add dialogue to speed it up." http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/04272008.html Podcasts Sun, 27 Apr 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/214.0 19:47 writing writers screenwriting fiction novels dialogue Paula B. Writing Show podcasts Janice Ballenger With emergency medical technician/deputy coroner Janice Ballenger In Episode 1 of "Getting Published, with Janice Ballenger," we introduced Janice and her project: a memoir of her experiences as an emergency medical technician and Deputy Coroner in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Janice has been sending query letters to agents. In episode 2, we learn what kinds of responses she's received, and what she's done to follow up. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/04242008.html Podcasts Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/213.0 39:23 yes writing writers getting published publishing nonfiction memoir coroner reality shows Janice Ballenger Writing Show podcasts Robin Slick With Robin Slick, author of Three Days in New York Should you write the story that speaks to you, or should you find out what publishers want and then write? This week's guest learned the hard way. Please join Robin Slick and host Paula B. as they get a good laugh out of: What's so funny about sex How she discovered that New York publishers are more wedded to genre formulas than she thought How she ended up succeeding in a niche she isn't comfortable in (and is having trouble breaking out of) Why HBO wants her Why she felt out of place at the Romantic Times convention How bookstore buyers are even more powerful than she realized. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/04202008.html Podcasts Sun, 20 Apr 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/210.0 48:06 yes writing writers fiction novels erotica comedy Robin Slick Writing Show podcasts Elizabeth Little With Elizabeth Little Representing authors is a tough business that requires a variety of skills and personality traits. This week's guest, who used to be an agent, reveals what the job is really like and why she left Please join Elizabeth Little and Paula B. as they lay bare: Why she got into publishing in the first place Why she left agenting How agents select publishers for their clients Why deals fall apart What some of the mysterious things publishers and agents say in rejection letters really mean What she thinks agents and publishers look for in a work and an author Why people want to be agents How to write a query letter to an agent How not to approach an agent. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/04132008.html Podcasts Sun, 13 Apr 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/209.0 38:54 writing writers literary agents publishing books Elizabeth Little Writing Show podcasts Mark Leslie With horror writer Mark Leslie Mark reports on how he did with another of Mick Halpin's challenges. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/04102008.html Podcasts Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/208.0 11:33 writing writers reality show horror authors Mark Leslie Writing Show podcasts Samara O'Shea With Samara O'Shea, author of For the Love of Letters: A 21st Century Guide to the Art of Letter Writing Please join Samara and host Paula B. as we linger over letters, including: Why we should write letters How to write love, sympathy, and thank you letters Why she wasn't able to include any of James Joyce's erotic letters in her book. Samara also shares letters from famous personalities like actress Sarah Bernhardt and poet John Keats. http://www.writingshow.com/contests/2008/2008callforentries.html Podcasts Sun, 06 Apr 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/207.0 49:38 writing writers letters Samara O'Shea Writing Show podcasts Paula Berinstein With Writing Show host Paula B. Our 2008 First Chapter Contest is now open! Full details on our Web site at writingshow.com. http://www.writingshow.com/contests/2008/2008callforentries.html Podcasts Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/206.0 12:19 writing writers authors contests fiction novels Writing Show podcasts Rita Schiano With Rita Schiano, author of the novel Painting the Invisible Man Throughout literature, writers have invoked their own muses, asking them for inspiration and sometimes claiming to be a conduit through which the muses were speaking. Among musophiles: Shakespeare, Milton, Chaucer, Dante, Homer, Virgil, and this week's guest. A former nightclub singer, published songwriter, and restaurateur, Rita Schiano now makes her living as a freelance writer and editor while working on novels, screenplays, and teleplays. Painting the Invisible Man, the fictionalized story of her investigation into the decades-old murder of her father, is her second novel. Please join Rita and host Paula B. as we contemplate: How she found her muse How her muse helps her on a daily basis What happens when her muse gets ornery What a writer's obligations to her muse are Whether she could have written her book without her muse Whether having a muse makes her a better writer. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/03302008.html Podcasts Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/205.0 49:27 writing writers authors muse muses Rita Schiano Writing Show podcasts Paula Berinstein With Writing Show host Paula B. Paula B. contends that an author's voice should be so distinctive that his or her writing can be recognized out of context. In this episode of The Writing Show, she reads 14 examples of distinct voices and challenges you to identify them. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/03162008.html Podcasts Sun, 16 Mar 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/204.0 17:53 writing writers authors voice style fiction novels Paula Berinstein Writing Show podcasts Mark Leslie With horror writer Mark Leslie In episode 6 of "Getting Published, with Mark Leslie," Writing Show guest host Mick Halpin issued a challenge to Mark: "Stop messing around and start writing. If you'll write 10,000 words on A Canadian Werewolf in New York in 30 days, I'll write up a story about how I recently lost a tooth." In episode 7, we find out whether Mark made his goal and whether Mick actually got that story written. Mark also tells us about some of his recent short story publications. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/03132008.html Podcasts Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/203.0 23:07 writing writers reality show horror authors Mark Leslie Writing Show podcasts Elizabeth Little With Elizabeth Little, author of Biting the Wax Tadpole Despite your possibly negative high school classroom experiences, it isn't impossible to learn languages, and doing so doesn't have to be boring. If you've learned one language, you can learn another, no matter how grammatically inadequate you may think you are. Elizabeth Little, author of Biting the Wax Tadpole: Confessions of a Language Fanatic, is a writer and editor living in New York City. She has worked as a literary agent and as a writer and editor for the travel guide Let's Go: China. She writes regularly for the travel section of The New York Times. Please join Elizabeth and host Paula B. as they noodle around with: Why languages can be fun to learn How various languages do odd things with nouns and verbs Which languages are hardest to learn How the idea of gender for nouns came about (now you know whom to blame) What happened when Elizabeth asked for a menu in a Chinese restaurant (in China). http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/03092008.html Podcasts Sun, 09 Mar 2008 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/202.0 49:32 writing writers language linguistics Elizabeth Little Writing Show podcasts Janice Ballenger With emergency medical technician/deputy coroner Janice Ballenger Janice Ballenger was the deputy coroner on call the day of the Amish schoolroom shooting in 2006. She is looking to publish a book about her experiences related to that incident as well as other cases throughout her career. In episode 1 of "Getting Published, with Janice Ballenger," we introduce Janice, her book, and her goals, including: What her book is about What inspired her to write it now rather than wait till she's retired, as she originally intended What her writing background is What her long-term writing goals are How her book will benefit readers What happened when she sent out her first query letters Where to look for help getting published. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/03062008.html Podcasts Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/201.0 35:22 yes writing writers getting published publishing nonfiction memoir coroner reality shows Janice Ballenger Writing Show podcasts Kevin Eikenberry With Kevin Eikenberry, author of Remarkable Leadership: Unleashing Your Leadership Potential One Skill at a Time There's a lot of competition among management books, and even more in the self-help arena, so you have to know exactly what you're doing in order to succeed in either genre. This week's guest is a master of both, blending them in a way that captures our imaginations while empowering and inciting us to take action. How in the world did he do that? Kevin Eikenberry is Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group, a learning consulting company that has been helping organizations, teams and individuals reach their potential since 1993. Emphasizing the power of learning, Kevin's specialties include leadership, teams and teamwork, organizational culture, facilitating change, training trainers, and more. Join Kevin and host Paula B. as they probe: What the secrets of writing effective business self-help books are Why stories and anecdotes are so engaging What the relationship between a self-help author and his audience is Why numbers are important in business books How to make a business self-help book stand out from the pack. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/03022008.html Podcasts Sun, 02 Mar 2008 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/200.0 42:52 writing writers business books self-help management leadership Kevin Eikenberry Writing Show podcasts Joseph S. Salemi With poet Joseph S. Salemi We haven't focused on poetry on The Writing Show nearly as much as we should. And what better way to start than by looking at the state of poetry today. But if you think you're about to hear a lot of flowery talk, grab hold of your seat. This week's guest, unlike most of the poetry establishment, is not pleased. Joseph S. Salemi has published poems, translations, and scholarly articles in over one hundred journals throughout the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. His four collections of poetry are Formal Complaints and Nonsense Couplets, issued by Somers Rocks Press, Masquerade from Pivot Press, and The Lilacs on Good Friday from The New Formalist Press. Please join Joseph S. Salemi and host Paula B. as they explore: Why he feels poetry is dying How poetry got to this point What types of poetry he would like to see people write What his eight rules of thumb for writing poetry are. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/02242008.html Podcasts Sun, 24 Feb 2008 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/199.0 01:08:03 yes writing writers poetry Joseph S. Salemi Writing Show podcasts Paula B. With Writing Show host Paula B. If you've been listening to The Writing Show for some time, you've followed our progress from beginning cautious experiment to today's wildly popular show. When I started the podcast, I didn't know if I'd be doing it for a month, a year, or the rest of my life. I had no idea what I was doing. Some days I still don't. But what I do know is that I love doing the show and want to make it better and better. Now it's time to monetize The Writing Show so that we can continue to bring you top-quality information and inspiration for writers. Time to find out if The Writing Show is our future or merely our past. I ask for your support and understanding in this endeavor. Let's make writing the story permanently. In this show, I recap our initial approach to producing the show and explain: Which monetizing strategies we've considered Which ones we think are the most practical, and why What we plan to do now How you can help. Thank you so much for your ongoing support of The Writing Show. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/02212008.html Podcasts Thu, 21 Feb 2008 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/198.0 08:17 writing writers podcasts advertising Paula B. Writing Show podcasts Patrick Smith With composer Patrick Smith, author of Gardner's Guide to Digital Sound Design We all know how difficult it is to break into writing, but there's a great route you may not have considered: your career. This week we hear from one writer who, like Writing Show host Paula B., made the leap by writing about the thing he knows best: his work. Patrick Smith is a composer, producer, keyboardist, and author. He has composed music for media for more than 20 years and has produced music for network television, films, and advertising. He is the author of Gardner's Guide to Digital Sound Design and Career Diary of a Composer. Join Patrick and host Paula B. as they discuss, among other things: How Patrick came to write his books What he struggled with as a new writer, and what he found easy How much guidance his publisher provided Why an author's personal voice is so important, even in a technical book How he feels about writing now that he's got some experience under his belt. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/02172008.html Podcasts Sun, 17 Feb 2008 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/197.0 41:59 writing writers careers technical books sound design audio music Patrick Smith Writing Show podcasts Simon Moore With Simon Moore, writer of the miniseries "The Tenth Kingdom" and "Traffik" You don't hear many people say, "I want to write miniseries when I grow up." Yet this week's guest, who's written several, has found great satisfaction as well as success in this oft-neglected niche. Simon Moore is an award-winning writer and director in film, television, and theater. His works include "The Tenth Kingdom," "Traffik," "Dinotopia," and an adaptation of Gulliver's Travels. Join Simon and host Paula B. as they discuss: How he manages to maintain such a varied career What the issues are in writing and producing miniseries How he researched the drug trade for "Traffik" Why he likes to write female lead characters What he does when he pitches ideas How he writes differently for UK and U.S. audiences and why (and how the difference sometimes trips him up). http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/02102008.html Podcasts Sun, 10 Feb 2008 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/196.0 57:04 writing writers screenwriting miniseries television TV Traffik 10th Kingdom Simon Moore Writing Show podcasts Mark Leslie With horror writer Mark Leslie In episode 5 of "Getting Published, with Mark Leslie," we heard that Mark was still taking a detour from his horror story A Canadian Werewolf in New York. In episode 6, we find out just what Mark has been doing since July of 2007 when we last spoke with him: what happened when he pitched I, Death to an editor he met at a conference, and how the science fiction anthology he edited, North of Infinity II, has been remaindered (and tells us what remainders are and how they affect writers). He also presents parts of chapters 9 and 10 of A Canadian Werewolf, along with another insightful Mick Halpin critique. At the end of the interview, Mark and Mick issue challenges to each other. What are they, and will the two rise to the occasion? http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/02072008.html Podcasts Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/195.0 36:46 writing writers reality show horror authors Mark Leslie Writing Show podcasts Paula Berinstein With Writing Show host Paula B. This is the first in a series of shows about writing dialogue. In each show, we'll start with a principle or two and then look at some examples of that principle in action. This time, we'll talk about the importance of character agenda. Using examples from well-known writers, Writing Show host Paula B. will explore: What dialogue is What dialogue should do Which three things you need to know about your characters in order to write effective dialogue How to move your story forward through dialogue. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/02032008.html Podcasts Sun, 03 Feb 2008 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/194.0 20:43 writing writers screenwriting fiction novels dialogue Paula B. Writing Show podcasts Blake Snyder With screenwriter/coach Blake Snyder, author of Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies Want to know what makes successful films work? This week's guest has figured it out, and breaks down 50 films to show you step by step how it's done. In this inspiring interview, screenwriter Blake Snyder and host Paula B. explore: What "save the cat" means and why it's important for films to have "save the cat" moments What the ten story types of most successful films are, and how Blake came up with them What Blake's "story beats" are and how you can use them in your screenplays Why false victories, "lemon seeds," and "buttons" are important. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/01272008.html Podcasts Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/193.0 59:26 writing writers screenwriting stories film Blake Snyder Writing Show podcasts Naomi Finkel With Naomi Finkel, owner of Say It With Words The power to persuade greases the wheels of commerce. And while some people are born salesmen, the good news is that persuasion is a skill that can be learned. This week's guest is living proof. She started out as a teacher. Now she's an award-winning copywriter and marketing consultant. Naomi Finkel is the president and creative director of Say It With Words in Westlake Village, California. She has helped hundreds of businesses, including Costco, Mervyns, and Pepperdine University, develop successful, innovative, targeted strategies and campaigns. She is the author of How to Get Big Business Exposure on a Small Business Budget. In this information-rich interview, Naomi reveals: How she made the transition from teaching to business What she does when working with a client What a unique selling proposition (USP) is and why you need one How to understand your target market What special words get people's attention What a call to action is How to measure the effectiveness of your campaign. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/01202008.html Podcasts Sun, 20 Jan 2008 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/192.0 57:07 writing writers marketing advertising Naomi Finkel Writing Show podcasts Ricardo With Writing Show listener Ricardo from Amigo Audio It is said that the only way to experience an author's true meaning is to read his or her work in the original language. But for most of us, that's impossible most of the time, so we read translations. But what are we getting when we do that? Is it ever possible to render an author's words and meaning exactly? This week we present a special show recorded by Writing Show listener Ricardo from Amigo Audio. In this fascinating ride, Ricardo takes us through the process of translating Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" from English to Spanish and shows us that translation isn't just a matter of language, but of history, mythology, and other disciplines as well. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/01162008.html Podcasts Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/191.0 48:05 writing writers poetry Spanish translation Edgar Allan Poe Raven Writing Show podcasts Karen Laven With author/journalist Karen Laven Are you shy? Many writers are, and it can affect our ability to create and promote our work. This week's guest bravely discusses her almost-crippling shyness while revealing some of her unconventional methods for battling it. Karen Laven has been a newspaper feature writer and photographer. Her award-winning poetry, short fiction, and humor essays have appeared in publications across America. Please join us for this candid look at an all-too-common problem as Karen explains: How shyness has dogged her throughout her life and career What sorts of situations make her the most and least nervous Whether the nature and degree of her shyness has changed over time How she feels when she knows she has to do interviews or appearances How she feels during and after interviews and appearances Why she thinks she's so shy How she battles her shyness What she advises other shy writers to do. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/01132008.html Podcasts Sun, 13 Jan 2008 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/190.1 47:28 writing writers shyness Karen Laven Writing Show podcasts Sarah Maurer With 2007 First-Chapter-of-a-Novel Contest winner Sarah Maurer For our first show of the new year, we talk with 2007 First-Chapter-of-a-Novel Contest winner Sarah Maurer. In this relaxed interview, Sarah and host Paula B. discuss: How Sarah came up with the idea for the story Why she decided to write in the first person What she struggled with How she characterizes her writer's voice What she likes about the chapter and what she's changing. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/01062008.html Podcasts Sun, 06 Jan 2008 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/189.0 52:08 writing writers fiction novels contests competitions Sarah Maurer Writing Show podcasts Paula Berinstein With Writing Show host Paula B. The Writing Show is launching a new reality show: "The Writing Show Makeover Series." In this fascinating and fun hands-on set of programs, our editors will critique and help you polish your work while The Writing Show community looks on. Everyone wins: you get professional advice and encouragement; the community gets to see how it's done, one step at a time. Listen to this special announcement podcast for information about the makeover series and how you can participate. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2008/01052008.html Podcasts Sat, 05 Jan 2008 12:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/188.0 08:59 writing writers fiction novels editing revision reality show makeover editors Writing Show podcasts Father Walter Macken, Jr. With Father Walter Macken, Jr., son of the late Irish novelist Walter Macken Every writer's dream is to create a legacy that lives on, informing and inspiring readers for generations after they themselves have perished. Ireland's most popular historical novelist, Walter Macken, who died in 1967, did just that. This week's show features a conversation between Dublin-based linguist Rafael Guzmán and Father Walter Macken, Jr., the son of Walter Macken, recorded earlier this year to mark the 40th anniversary of Macken's death. In this fascinating talk, Father Walter Macken Jr. candidly discusses his father's life and legacy, motivations, and methods. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2007/12232007.html Podcasts Sun, 23 Dec 2007 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/187.0 54:24 writing writers fiction novels Walter Macken Writing Show podcasts Eric Pliner With Eric Pliner This week we present two hilarious stories submitted by Writing Show listeners Eric Pliner ("Santa Baby") and Tim Tucker ("That Day in the Manger"). After each writer reads his story, he joins Writing Show host Paula B. to talk about writing. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2007/12162007.html Podcasts Sun, 16 Dec 2007 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/186.0 46:28 writing writers short stories Christmas Eric Pliner Writing Show podcasts Tim Tucker With Tim Tucker This week we present two hilarious stories submitted by Writing Show listeners Eric Pliner ("Santa Baby") and Tim Tucker ("That Day in the Manger"). After each writer reads his story, he joins Writing Show host Paula B. to talk about writing. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2007/12162007.html Podcasts Sun, 16 Dec 2007 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/185.0 01:10:55 writing writers short stories Christmas Tim Tucker Writing Show podcasts Reviel Netz and William Noel With Reviel Netz and William Noel, author of The Archimedes Codex: How a Medieval Prayer Book Is Revealing the True Genius of Antiquity's Greatest Scientist In 1998, a medieval prayer book sold for $2 million at a Christie's auction in New York City, to an anonymous bidder. No one could figure out why it went for so much, especially since it was in terrible shape. And everyone wondered what this mysterious buyer knew that they didn't. Now, almost a decade later, experts at Baltimore's Walters Art Museum, to which the manuscript has been entrusted, are learning the full extent of its value. It turns out that the prayers, penned by a Christian monk circa 1200 A.D., were written over an earlier text. But not just any text. The prayers were written over the lost works of Archimedes, the greatest mathematician of antiquity. What did this ancient manuscript hold? Literally the secrets of the universe. And in The Archimedes Codex, Stanford professor Reviel Netz and Walters Art Museum curator William Noel, who have been on the front lines of its decoding, tell its full story. Please join Reviel Netz, William Noel, and Paula B. as they delve into: How they got involved with the codex What sorts of issues they faced in conserving the artifact Why Archimedes is so important What has been discovered about Archimedes through the codex Why a scribe wrote over Archimedes' texts Where the codex was hiding over the centuries How the codex ended up at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Who's allowed to purchase precious artifacts like the codex, and under what conditions How they finally cracked the text. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2007/12092007.html Podcasts Sun, 09 Dec 2007 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/184.0 01:18:02 writing writers manuscripts codex palimpsest Archimedes Reviel Netz William Noel Writing Show podcasts Jurgen Wolff With writing coach Jurgen Wolff Writers are just different. We face a variety of issues unknown to most people. What do we struggle with, and how can we rise to meet those challenges? Jurgen Wolff is a writing coach who writes films, plays, television shows, fiction, and nonfiction. He teaches creativity workshops around the world. Please join Jurgen and host Paula B. as they wrestle with: Which psychological issues are most common among writers How writers sabotage themselves How to keep from falling into bad habits Why we sometimes feel let down when we achieve a goal How to handle friends who are envious or disparaging How to make unpleasant tasks easier to tackle How to decide when to give up. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2007/12022007.html Podcasts Sun, 02 Dec 2007 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/183.0 01:07:40 writing writers Jurgen Wolff Writing Show podcasts Paula Berinstein With Writing Show host Paula B. We just concluded a big experiment: our 2007 First-Chapter-of-a-Novel Contest. Tune in and find out what went on behind the scenes. Join Writing Show host Paula B. and contest judge Ann Paden for this look at our 2007 First-Chapter Contest, including: Why we decided to offer feedback Why it was difficult to find judges How we came up with our fee structure What the role of Literary Market Place was How I flubbed up on the number of judges I'd need How the judges felt about writing 750-word critiques How the judges evaluated your chapters How one judge, Ann Paden, felt about the entries she read and about the contest itself What Ann recommends contestants do to improve their work What was involved in administering the contest. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2007/11282007.html Podcasts Wed, 27 Nov 2007 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/182.0 28:33 writing writers contest competition Writing Show podcasts Scott Fivelson With Scott Fivelson, co-writer of "American Reel" and "Route 666" With the writers' strike in full swing, the timing of this interview with a writer and producer of independent films couldn't be better. Find out why work-for-hire gigs may not be enough for the ambitious screenwriter. Scott Fivelson co-wrote and was a producer on the film "American Reel," starring David Carradine, Mariel Hemingway, and the distinguished British actor Michael Maloney. He also co-wrote the zombie movie "Route 666." Please join Scott and host Paula B. as they chew over, among other things: How Scott got started in Hollywood How "American Reel" and "Route 666" got made How he ended up producing as well as writing How he selects his subjects What a screenwriter does and doesn't get to do on a film What he finds difficult about writing How he comes up with jokes and humorous situations. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2007/11252007.html Podcasts Sun, 25 Nov 2007 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/181.0 01:21:03 writing writers screenwriting independent films Route 666 American Reel Scott Fivelson Writing Show podcasts Jean Tennant With author Jean Tennant Since September of 2006, we've been following Jean as she attempts to find an agent to represent her intergenerational novel Karaoke Nights at the Twilight Lounge. So far, Jean has received a number of rejections, but at least she's heard something. She's also started work on some new projects. In episode 7, we hear once again from listener T.A. Evans, learn what Jean is going to do about her stalled search for an agent, and get an update on the other projects she's pursuing in the meantime, including her new podcast. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2007/11202007.html Podcasts Tue, 20 Nov 2007 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/180.0 26:55 writing writers publishing getting published reality shows Jean Tennant Writing Show podcasts Steve Reilly With Steve Reilly, author of The Fat Lady Never Sings: How a Football Team Found Redemption on the Baseball Diamond This week's guest may be a debut writer, but to my mind he's one of the best wordsmiths I've ever encountered Since 1976, Steven M. Reilly has coached baseball in Connecticut's Lower Naugatuck Valley. Please join Steve Reilly and host Paula B. as they explore: Why readers should care about a fifteen-year-old high school baseball season How Steve achieves sparkling description and lively characters Why he likes the number three How his commentary spices up the narrative How he remembered so many minute details What hyphenated words do for his style How he achieves a cinematic effect. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2007/11182007.html Podcasts Sun, 18 Nov 2007 09:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/179.0 01:47:51 writing writers memoirs sports baseball Steve Reilly Writing Show podcasts Paula Berinstein With Writing Show host Paula B. We announce the winners of our 2007 First-Chapter-of-a-Novel Contest http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2007/11152007.html Podcasts Thu, 15 Nov 2007 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/178.0 10:57 writing writers contests competitions novels fiction Writing Show podcasts Nick Popio With Nick Popio of Lulu.com As a relative newcomer to the self-publishing world, Lulu.com has garnered quite a bit of attention with its unorthodox business model. Nick Popio serves as a communications specialist at Lulu.com. Please join Nick and host Paula B. as they ponder: * What Lulu.com does * How the company makes its revenue * How much it costs to publish through Lulu.com * How many copies of their books Lulu.com authors typically sell * Whether the company rejects manuscripts * How they let authors know what to expect as far as sales and income are concerned * Whether Lulu.com is a vanity press. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2007/11112007.html Podcasts Sun, 11 Nov 2007 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/177.0 39:16 writing writers self-publishing Lulu Lulu.com Nick Popio Writing Show podcasts David Korzenik With attorney David Korzenik If you haven't heard of the heinous phenomenon known as "libel tourism," I urge you to listen to this show. David S. Korzenik, Esq., a partner at Miller Korzenik Sommers LLP, specializes in media and First Amendment law as well as intellectual property. The firm defends book, magazine, and online publishers; broadcasters; news organizations; and human rights groups against claims such as libel, privacy, newsgathering torts, copyright, and so on. Please join us for this important show in which David and host Paula B. discuss: What libel tourism is and how it got started How plaintiffs are able to sue American defendants in foreign courts How laws relating to free speech differ in the U.S. and the UK What some high-profile cases are How libel tourism is affecting publishers, authors, and journalists How the House of Lords is making some changes in authors' and publishers' favor Why bloggers and podcasters need to be aware of the phenomenon. http://www.writingshow.com/podcasts/2007/11042007.html Podcasts Sun, 04 Nov 2007 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/176.0 01:51:09 writing writers libel intellectual freedom censorship legal First Amendment David Korzenik Writing Show podcasts Stephen Studach With horror writer Stephen Studach reading "Eyes Closed in a Dark Room" "Presented for your experience: a psychoacoustic visitation. It is recommended that headphones with good left/right variance be used, and that the listener partake of this recording with "Eyes Closed in a Dark Room." The Tellings: In Foreign Climes The Devil You Don't After The Exit Waiting at the Break Old Man in Wheelchair When All The Lost in Darkness Call " http://www.writingshow.com/?p=346 Podcasts Wed, 31 Oct 2007 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/175.0 27:31 yes writing writers horror Halloween Stephen Studach Writing Show podcasts David Conyers With horror writer David Conyers "On the fields of the African savanna, Lord Caulfield is on safari hunting lions. Little does he know that deep beneath the earth a yet undiscovered breed of humanoids is hunting him, not to kill or make him their trophy, but to take him far beneath the earth where he will discover his new role in their world." http://www.writingshow.com/?p=344 Podcasts Tue, 30 Oct 2007 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/174.0 01:27:17 yes writing writers horror Halloween David Conyers Writing Show podcasts Robert Hood With horror writer Robert Hood reading his short story "Last Remains" "Daniel Jones hasn't come to terms with the failure of his relationship with Jeannie. But an angry and embittered drive along a darkened freeway, and a swarm of bogon moths, may give him reason to look upon his situation in an entirely different light." http://www.writingshow.com/?p=339 Podcasts Mon, 29 Oct 2007 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/173.0 56:25 writing writers horror Halloween Robert Hood Writing Show podcasts Martin Livings With horror writer Martin Livings reading his short story "The Art of Suffering" "A writer discovers the secret to inspiration, but the cost is far higher than he could ever have imagined." http://www.writingshow.com/?p=338 Podcasts Sun, 28 Oct 2007 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/172.0 01:06:59 yes writing writers horror Halloween Martin Livings Writing Show podcasts David Schembri With horror writer David Schembri reading his short story "The Tuning of Hex" "No matter how bright the sun would shine, Michael Waley always sensed a dark cloud hovering above him." http://www.writingshow.com/?p=337 Podcasts Sat, 27 Oct 2007 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/171.0 01:06:21 writing writers horror Halloween David Schembri Writing Show podcasts Kaaron Warren With horror writer Kaaron Warren reading her short story "Dead Sea Fruit" "Beware the Ash Mouth Man. Once he kisses you, everything you eat will taste of ashes." http://www.writingshow.com/?p=336 Podcasts Fri, 26 Oct 2007 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/170.0 40:17 yes writing writers horror Halloween Kaaron Warren Writing Show podcasts Rick Kennett With horror writer Rick Kennett "It wasn't an innocent game" http://www.writingshow.com/?p=340 Podcasts Thu, 25 Oct 2007 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/169.0 48:26 writing writers horror Halloween Rick Kennett Writing Show podcasts Jason Nahrung With horror writer Jason Nahrung reading his short story "Kadimakara and Curlew" "An unusual earthquake draws three seismographers to a sacred monolith in remote central Australia, where they discover a deadly mystery that science alone cannot solve." http://www.writingshow.com/?p=335 Podcasts Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/168.0 59:31 writing writers horror Halloween Jason Nahrung Writing Show podcasts Chuck McKenzie With horror writer Chuck McKenzie reading his short story "Retail Therapy" "Eventually, we all encounter the customer from heck." http://www.writingshow.com/?p=334 Podcasts Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/167.0 48:45 writing writers horror Halloween Chuck McKenzie Writing Show podcasts Jeff Rivera and Alethea Pascascio With authors Jeff Rivera and Alethea Pascascio What happens to newly published writers as their careers take hold? This week we catch up with two Writing Show guests, authors Jeff Rivera and Alethea Pascascio, and find out how things are going one year later. In these two fascinating updates, we'll talk about: * How Jeff got his agent * How he was picked up by a major publisher * How Forever My Lady is igniting interest in the show biz and media communities * Why Alethea followed Bag Lady with a self-help title * How her advice is being received by readers * How an engineer is making the transition to self-help guru. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=347 Podcasts Sun, 21 Oct 2007 11:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/166.0 51:43 writing writers Jeff Rivera Alethea Pascascio Writing Show podcasts David Simon With David Simon, creator of "The Wire," featuring host Bob Andelman In January of 2007, author and podcaster Bob Andelman sat down with David Simon, creator of the critically-acclaimed and Peabody Award-winning HBO series, "The Wire." A former Baltimore Sun crime reporter, David is the writer that the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce no doubt loves to hate, having co-authored (with Edward Burns) the Baltimore-based book, The Corner: A Year in the Life of an Inner City Neighborhood, and the subsequent HBO series, "The Corner." David also provided the inspiration and a number of scripts for the Baltimore-based NBC show, "Homicide: Life on the Street," which was based on another of his true crime books, Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets. In this fascinating interview, Bob and David discuss: * How reality and fiction work together in David's dramas * How his background as a journalist has enhanced his storytelling skills * How he's able to write such realistic and compelling dialogue * What he does to insure that his settings and situations are believable * Why watching TV shows and movies isn't the way to research how people talk * Why "The Wire" isn't interested in "good and evil." http://www.writingshow.com/?p=345 Podcasts Sun, 14 Oct 2007 11:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/165.0 40:09 writing writers television HBO The Wire David Simon screenwriting Writing Show podcasts Susan Driscoll With iUniverse president and CEO Susan Driscoll This week, we continue our discussion of traditional vs. self-publishing with one of the latter's most visible companies: iUniverse. Susan Driscoll is president and CEO of iUniverse, a leading provider of author publishing services. Susan has held management positions at Holt, HarperCollins, and Holtzbrinck Publishers including editorial director, director of marketing, director of new media and technology, and director of operations. Join Susan and Paula B. as they discuss: * What iUniverse does * Whether iUniverse rejects manuscripts * How iUniverse authors can get their books in stores * Whether self-publishing is the kiss of death for an author * Whether iUniverse is a vanity press * Why authors should self-publish even though time spent reading books is declining * How much it costs to publish a book the traditional way vs. with iUniverse * How iUniverse deals with author expectations * How iUniverse makes its revenue. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=332 Podcasts Sun, 07 Oct 2007 11:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/164.0 01:00:17 writing writers self-publishing iUniverse Susan Driscoll Writing Show podcasts Daniel Arenson With Daniel Arenson, author of Firefly Island Wouldn't you love to write a story in which you make up absolutely everything, no research or subject expertise required? Writing fantasy can be a lot of fun, but that's not exactly the way it happens, as this week's guest reveals. Born in Israel in 1980, Daniel Arenson lived in Manitoba and New Jersey before settling in Toronto, Ontario. He holds a bachelor's degree in computer science and enjoys painting in his spare time. Daniel's poems and stories have appeared in magazines such as Flesh and Blood, Chizine, Orson Scott Card's Strong Verse, and many more. Firefly Island is his first novel. Please join Daniel and Paula B. as they waft through topics like: * How he introduces his fantasy world to readers * How he deals with the issue of names in fantasy * What influences he draws upon * Whether fantasy stories must always involve a quest * When and when not to introduce new characters in a novel * How he works * Why he loves it when his characters run away with the story. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=331 Podcasts Sun, 30 Sep 2007 11:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/163.0 41:11 writing writers fantasy novels fiction Daniel Arenson Writing Show podcasts Michael A. Stelzner With white paper guru Michael Stelzner If you're looking for a writing specialty that will catapult you out of the "starving writer" ghetto, you may want to consider an up-and-coming option: white papers. Michael Stelzner is best known as the author of the bestselling book Writing White Papers: How to Capture Readers and Keep Them Engaged. He is the editor of the WhitePaperSource Newsletter and founder of the Internet's only portal dedicated to the writing and marketing of white papers, WhitePaperSource. Please join Michael and host Paula B. as they examine: * What a white paper is * What qualifications you need to write white papers * What sorts of personalities are best suited to writing white papers * What you should and shouldn't do when writing white papers * How much money you can make writing white papers * How to find clients. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=325 Podcasts Sun, 23 Sep 2007 11:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/162.0 39:13 writing writers marketing white papers Michael Stelzner Writing Show podcasts Stephen Tiano With book designer Stephen Tiano We can all recognize the importance and appeal of attractive product design. But with books, the right design affects much more than our aesthetic sensibilities. Please join book designer Steve Tiano and host Paula B. as they weigh: * What's the most important thing to consider when designing a book * How book design has changed over the last century, and why * Where new design trends originate * What a knockoff font is, and whether it matters if designers use one * How he would feel if someone offered him the chance to design books for cell phone delivery * Why book design is more important for the reader than you might think. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=322 Podcasts Sun, 16 Sep 2007 11:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/161.0 48:40 writing writers book design Stephen Tiano Writing Show podcasts Paula Berinstein With Writing Show host Paula B. Entering a fantasy world can be both exhilarating and bewildering. The author who builds such a world may be familiar with it, but how does he introduce his readers to a place known only to him? This week we'll look at how two famous fantasy authors, Lewis Carroll and J.R.R. Tolkien, approach this challenge. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=320 Podcasts Sun, 09 Sep 2007 11:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/160.0 28:15 writing writers fantasy Lewis Carroll Tolkien novels fiction Writing Show podcasts Jack J. Ward With playwright Jack J. Ward If you want to stretch your writing wings, this week's guest has a suggestion for you: audio plays. They're fun to write, you get great practice crafting dialogue, and audiences love them. Author, actor, teacher, and speaker Jack J. Ward is the dynamic founder of both the Sonic Society and Sonic Cinema Productions, featuring the very best in audio drama. Join Jack and host Paula B. as they explore: * What audio theater is * What types of audio theater there are * Why write for audio theater * Which genres work best * What comprises the dos and don'ts of writing for audio theater * How to make transitions between scenes and acts * How to get produced * How to make money writing audio plays. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=316 Podcasts Sun, 26 Aug 2007 11:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/159.0 01:36:19 writing writers radio plays audio plays audio drama playwrights play writing Writing Show podcasts Jeff DeRego, Stacie Penney, Matthew Wayne Selznick With authors Jeff DeRego, Stacie Penney, and Matthew Wayne Selznick A few weeks ago, we heard a contrarian opinion from author Jeff DeRego about the advisability of self-publishing. We got so much response to that show that we've put together a panel to weigh in on the self- vs. traditional publishing issue. Join authors Jeff DeRego, Stacie Penney, Matthew Wayne Selznick, and host Paula B. as they debate the merits and drawbacks of traditional and self-publishing. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=311 Podcasts Sun, 19 Aug 2007 11:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/158.0 01:26:41 writing writers self-publishing publishing Writing Show podcasts Roger Morris With R.N. Morris, author of The Gentle Axe Roger Morris is a gutsy guy. He's adopted one of literature's most famous detectives, Porfiry Petrovich, created by one of the greatest writers of all time, Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Is he crazy? The world's most prestigious review publications don't think so. The New York Times Book Review, The Wall Street Journal, and even The Moscow Times have awarded The Gentle Axe high praise. Meet the man who would be Dostoyevsky's disciple. Join Roger and Writing Show host Paula B. as they explore: * What inspired him to take on such a formidable task * How much of Dostoyevsky's style he tried to bring to his work * How he fleshed out the character of Dostoyevsky's detective * How he researched 19th century St. Petersburg * How writing a whodunit differs from crafting a mystery in which the perpetrator is known * What he would tell readers who feel intimidated by the idea of delving into Dostoyevsky * How he got published by two of the world's most respected publishers * How he feels about the runaway success of the book. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=310 Podcasts Sun, 12 Aug 2007 10:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/157.0 01:16:09 writing writers novels crime fiction mysteries Dostoyevsky Roger Morris Writing Show podcasts Mark Putnam With writer Mark Putnam On June 17th, Mark Putnam told us that he wanted to write a novel but couldn't decide what to write about. He had too many ideas. So, he asked for your input, and you responded. The voting is over, and Mark is now working toward completion of his first draft by the end of the year. How did the voting turn out, and how is he coming along? Join Mark and Writing Show host Paula B. for this surprising update on Mark's progress. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=309 Podcasts Sun, 05 Aug 2007 10:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/155.0 46:26 writing writers novels fiction Mark Putnam Plotastic Writing Show podcasts Anthony G. Williams With Anthony G. Williams, author of the science fiction novel Scales I'm beginning to see that as much as I like to ask questions about structure, characterization, plot, and other elements of fiction, many writers don't plan those things: they just let them unfold. Yet despite the fact that this week's guest wrote his story pretty much as he went along, everything came out beautifully. How did that happen? Listen! Tony Williams edits Jane's Ammunition Handbook for Jane's Information Group. He is also editor of The Cartridge Researcher, the monthly bulletin of the European Cartridge Research Association. He collects and researches ammunition, especially of the military variety. Please join Tony Williams and Writing Show host Paula B. as they discuss: * How the idea for Scales came to him (it's unusual!) * How he turned the idea into a complete book, and why it took him so long to do so * Why he structured the book the way he did * What type of narration he chose and why * What drives the story forward * Where Scales falls in the science fiction continuum * How this book fits into his overall writing career * Why he writes science fiction. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=306 Podcasts Sun, 29 Jul 2007 11:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/154.0 49:58 writing writers fiction plot science fiction Anthony G. Williams Writing Show podcasts Paula Berinstein With Writing Show host Paula B. We've had a lot of requests for a show on point of view, so I've been researching the topic, and despite the fact that I majored in literature in college, I've been surprised by almost everything I've discovered! In this solo show, I'll share with you what I've found so far, including: * What point of view is * What the function of the narrator is * What types of narration there are * When to use the various types of narration * How to decide who should be a viewpoint character * What to watch out for when switching between points of view. I'll be illustrating my findings with lots of examples. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=304 Podcasts Sun, 22 Jul 2007 11:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/153.0 50:42 writing writers fiction point of view narration narrators first person third person Writing Show podcasts Mark Leslie With horror writer Mark Leslie In episode 4 of "Getting Published, with Mark Leslie," we learned that Mark was taking a detour from his horror story A Canadian Werewolf in New York to publish a picture book for his niece and work on some other projects. We also dug into a critique of one of Mark's chapters from Writing Show guest host Mick Halpin. In episode 5, we find out whether Mark has indeed returned to writing his horror story. We also go over another entertaining Mick Halpin critique and hear a fabulous reminiscence about clove cigarettes (inspired by one of Mick's critiques) from Writing Show listener Mark Herbst. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=298 Podcasts Sun, 15 Jul 2007 13:00:00 PST paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/151.0 01:22:04 writing writers reality show horror authors Mark Leslie Writing Show podcasts Karen G. Anderson With former Apple writer Karen G. Anderson The Web has created dazzling new opportunities for writers. Today's guest, a former writer for iTunes and other Apple projects, explains how you can get involved. For the past decade Karen Anderson has been involved in writing, designing and producing user-friendly Web content for consumer audiences. From 2000 to 2006 she worked for Apple as a writer for iReview and the iTunes Music Store and as the managing editor for the one-million-member .Mac Internet services Web site. Karen currently writes content for commercial Web sites as part of a Seattle search engine optimization team. Please join Karen and Paula B. as we surf our way through: * What opportunities there are for writing on the Web * How search engine optimization affects Web writers * What "chunking" is * Why it's so important to get "signup pathways" right * What white papers are and why writers should care * What it was like evaluating sites for the Webby awards * What it was like writing for iTunes and other Apple projects * Why she left Apple to go out on her own * How well Web writers can do financially * What qualifications you should have to write for the Web (and get paid for it). Following Karen's interview we have a quick chat with author Bob Andelman about his new interview podcast and blog, Mr. Media, and get a Jeff's eye view of the perils of narrow-focusing from author Jeff DeRego. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=297 Podcasts Sun, 08 Jul 2007 13:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/150.0 01:33:32 writing writers Web sites SEO search engine optimization Karen Anderson Writing Show podcasts Jeff DeRego With author Jeff DeRego We've heard a lot of positive buzz about self-publishing here on The Writing Show. But not everyone thinks that's the best idea for authors. Today's guest has some strong words for self-publishing companies and some food for thought for those considering using them. He also has some choice words for Writers Digest regarding a recent article about how to get out of the slush pile. Jeffrey R. DeRego is a "know it all loudmouth" currently living in Derry, NH. Jeff is the author of the Union Dues series of stories, among others, available for free download from Escape Pod. He also writes under the pseudonym Big McLargehuge for Horrorview.com. Jeff is an instructional designer and editor for a telecommunications training company. Join Jeff and host Paula B. as they wrangle over: * Why Jeff isn't exactly gung-ho about self-publishing * What other routes to getting published he recommends * Why some Writers Digest-approved branding and marketing techniques don't help you get out of the slush pile * How to get out of the slush pile. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=296 Podcasts Sun, 24 Jun 2007 13:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/149.0 01:23:27 writing writers self-publishing book marketing Jeff DeRego Writing Show podcasts Mark Putnam With writer Mark Putnam Mark Putnam wants to write a novel, but he can't decide what to write about. He's got too many ideas. One day he thinks he's writing a thriller, the next day a satire. He needs motivation. Mark has created a survey, called Plotastic, which asks for your vote on what he should write about. Once the voting is over on July 1st, Mark will write his novel. There's no turning back now: he's committed to finishing the first draft by the end of the year. Join Mark Putnam and Writing Show host Paula B. as they explore Mark's brainchild, including: * How he came up with the idea * How he plans to reconcile all the individual elements of the story when he sits down to write * What he'll do if this project doesn't solve his problem * What sorts of feedback he's been getting on his blog. We'll also go over Mark's ballot and discuss its implications. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=292 Podcasts Sun, 17 Jun 2007 10:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/148.0 52:46 writing writers novels fiction Mark Putnam Plotastic Writing Show podcasts Jean Tennant With author Jean Tennant Since last September we've been following Jean as she attempts to find an agent to represent her intergenerational novel Karaoke Nights at the Twilight Lounge. So far, Jean has received a number of rejections. She's also started work on some new projects. In episode 6, we hear more atta girls from a Writing Show listener, find out what happened to two errant agent queries and learn what Jean plans to do about them, and discover that one of Jean's other projects seems to be getting some official interest. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=293 Podcasts Wed, 13 Jun 2007 09:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/147.0 24:10 writing writers publishing getting published reality shows Jean Tennant Writing Show podcasts Gary Cheski, Sue Nading, and David J. Roth With Gary Cheski, Sue Nading, and David J. Roth We looked at the workings of online critique groups with author Sean Dent in February. This week, three writers join us to explore the ins and outs of in-person groups. Join Gary Cheski, Sue Nading, David J. Roth, and host Paula B. for this exciting discussion, including: * What a critique group should do for its participants * How in-person critique groups work * What sorts of issues arise * How they've dealt with thorny issues * How to attract new members * How online and in-person groups compare. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=287 Podcasts Sun, 10 Jun 2007 14:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/146.0 01:02:17 writing writers critique groups writing groups Writing Show podcasts Candace Lake With literary manager Candace Lake The movie business is changing, and this week's guest has reinvented her business as a result. What inspired literary agent Candace Lake to become a literary manager, and what is a literary manager anyway? Candace Lake has represented writers and directors at Ziegler, Diskant Associates; International Creative Management; her own The Candace Lake Agency; and now Stone Canyon Media. Join Candace and Writing Show host Paula B. as they delve into the high-stakes world of writing for Hollywood, including: * What a literary manager does * Why she left agenting to become a literary manager * How writers get jobs in Hollywood * What she looks for in a writer * What qualities give screenwriters the best chance of finding and keeping work * What it takes to be a successful agent or literary manager * Which TV shows and movies she considers excellent * Whether screenwriters need to live in Los Angeles to be successful. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=284 Podcasts Sun, 03 Jun 2007 13:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/145.0 55:51 writing writers screenwriting screenwriters literary manager literary agent Candace Lake Writing Show podcasts Jan Whitford With Jan Evan Whitford, author of Mystic Island Jan Whitford's Mystic Island, a comic, romantic tale with historical overtones, unfolds from the perspective of a strong female lead. The author, a guy, says that the book even inches toward "chick lit." How did he write such a convincing woman protagonist? With a little help from his friends. Join Jan Evan Whitford and Writing Show host Paula B. as we explore: * Why he alternates between third- and first-person points of view * Why he decided to make his main character a woman * How he manages to get inside a woman character's head so convincingly * How he choreographed his hurricane * How he was able to make every detail of the hurricane so realistic * How he dealt with the issue of putting words in a historical figure's mouth (or pen) * How he managed to surprise the reader at the end without contrivance * What "snake hands" are and why you should care. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=278 Podcasts Sun, 27 May 2007 17:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/144.0 01:03:04 writing writers historical fiction novels Jan Whitford Writing Show podcasts Rahsaan Ali With Rahsaan Ali, author of the gangster novel Carmello A few lucky writers find their style early in life. This week's guest cut his teeth writing poetry as a kid, and you can tell. His novels reverberate with rhythm and dazzling imagery, as you will hear. Join Rahsaan Ali and Writing Show host Paula B. as we discuss: * Where he got the idea for Carmello * How he creates such poetic dialog * Why he writes in the first person * Why he uses so many points of view in his writing * How he likes to surprise readers * Why he likes to write about lots of characters * Why we like flawed characters so much * What sex scenes should do * How his first experience with a publisher fizzled * What he thinks of the term "urban fiction" * Why he writes. Rahsaan also reads several selections for us. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=276 Podcasts Sun, 20 May 2007 17:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/143.0 01:00:35 yes writing writers fiction novels gangsters Rahsaan Ali Writing Show podcasts L. Diane Wolfe With L. Diane Wolfe, author of the Circle of Friends novels You would not believe how good at marketing this week's guest is. Check her Web site under Archives and you'll see the dozens and dozens of interviews and book signings she's done, without the help of a publicist, mind you. In today's publishing environment, her accomplishments are nothing short of phenomenal. And she's going to tell us how she does it! L. Diane Wolfe's five-book Southern-based series, The Circle of Friends, centers on a group of college-age kids and portrays love and friendship overcoming all obstacles. Meant to inspire as well as entertain, Wolfe's books have been described as "encouragement personified." Traveling the East Coast to promote her series, Wolfe sets herself a heavy tour of book signings and speaking engagements. She averages more than eighty appearances and interviews each year. Join Diane and host Paula B. as they discuss the best and the worst ways to market your books, including: * Why she calls herself "Spunk on a Stick" * How she got the idea for her series * How she gets dozens and dozens of interviews and signings * How she gets her press releases noticed * What the secret to writing a great blurb is * What you should wear to a book signing * What you should always do at a book signing (and what you shouldn't) * How not to market your books * How to do a great interview. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=272 Podcasts Sun, 13 May 2007 17:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/142.0 52:46 writing writers book marketing bookstores getting interviews L. Diane Wolfe Circle of Friends Writing Show podcasts Robert Skole With Robert Skole, author of Jumpin' Jimminy: A World War II Baseball Saga: American Flyboys and Japanese Submariners Battle It Out in a Swedish World Series Writing historical fiction requires a stickler's attention to detail, even if you're not putting words in real people's mouths. This week's guest even got access to classified documents so he could make his story realistic. But there's nothing dry about this comic tale that brings together, of all things, baseball, soldiers, and World War II Sweden. Join Bob Skole and host Paula B. as they explore this wacky world, including: * Where he got the idea to combine World War II and baseball * How he got access to Swedish classified documents so he could research his story * Which easily accessible research tool helped him the most * How he unobtrusively wove in context that helps readers understand the background of the story * How he worked his research into the story * What he thinks about the importance of accuracy in writing historical fiction. http://www.writingshow.com/?p=270 Podcasts Sun, 06 May 2007 14:00:00 PDT paula@writingshow.com http://www.writingshow.com/141.0 52:46 writing writers historical fiction novels World War II Sweden baseball military fiction Writing Show podcasts Jean Durbahn With freelance editor Jean Durbahn Are you workin' for the Man and wishing you could chuck it all for the literary world? Today's guest did just that. Find out what motivated her, how she did it, and ho