This week, Mary Robinette pulls back the curtain on some of fiction’s sneakiest power tools: tone and mood. Drawing from a recent craft class she taught for her Patreon, Mary Robinette breaks down how these elements shape a reader’s emotional experience—and why they deserve as much attention as plot or structure. DongWon, Erin, and Howard jump in to poke at the definitions, debate where tone and mood collide, and explore how contrast, character reactions, and even sentence rhythm can totally change a scene. Expect examples ranging from Wizard of Oz to Mike Flanagan as we dig into practical ways to use tone and mood to supercharge your storytelling.Homework: Take a five-part mystery structure (crime → investigation → twist → breakthrough → conclusion) and write a story that uses that structure but is not obviously a mystery.ANNOUNCEMENTS: Last Annual CruiseThe final WXR cruise sets sail for Alaska in September 2026—don’t miss your chance to be part of it. Learn more and sign up<a href="https://writingexcuses.com/retreats/" rel="nofollow"> </a><a href="https://writingexcuses.com/retreats/" rel="nofollow">here</a>.*Scholarship applications for our cruise are open now until December 31st, 2025. You can <a href="https://writingexcuses.com/scholarships/" rel="nofollow">learn more and apply here</a>. Call for Writing BreakthroughsHave you had a breakthrough in your writing because of Writing Excuses? If so, we want to hear about it. Fill out this <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4hS7rRgzbQyLbY4_MKzISA_9ZRa_JzabpDxU663vb8DykZw/viewform" rel="nofollow">Writing Breakthroughs Google Form</a> for a chance to be featured in a WX Newsletter! Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Erin Roberts, Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, and DongWon Song. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.Join Our Writing Community! <a href="https://writingexcuses.com/retreats/" rel="nofollow">Writing Retreats</a><a href="https://writingexcuses.com/#newsletter" rel="nofollow">Newsletter</a><a href="https://www.patreon.com/WritingExcuses" rel="nofollow">Patreon</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/writing_excuses/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a><a href="https://www.threads.net/@writing_excuses" rel="nofollow">Threads</a><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/writingexcuses.bsky.social" rel="nofollow">Bluesky</a><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@writingexcuses" rel="nofollow">TikTok</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@WritingExcusesPodcast" rel="nofollow">YouTube</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WritingExcuses" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a> Our Sponsors: * Check out MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/EXCUSES * Check out Quince: https://quince.com/wx * Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/WX Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donations'>https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donations</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

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20.49: Using Tone and Mood

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