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Writing Excuses

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Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler

Fifteen minutes long, because you're in a hurry, and we're not that smart.

#996

Writing Excuses 5.33: Alpha Readers

Brandon, Dan, and Howard discuss what an alpha reader is, is not, and where one might find... more

17 Apr 2011

20 MINS

20:37

17 Apr 2011

#995

16.24: Worldbuilding for Games

Your Hosts: Mary Robinette Kowal, Cassandra Khaw, Dan Wells, James L. Sutter, and Howard T... more

13 Jun 2021

21 MINS

21:12

13 Jun 2021

#994

19.25: From the Classroom to the Page

Learning is great, but how do you translate it into doing without getting overwhelmed? Wha... more

23 Jun 2024

25 MINS

25:50

23 Jun 2024

#993

21.27: The Expository Throttle

How can exposition be used as a pacing tool, and not just a way to convey information? We ... more

05 Jul 2026

20 MINS

20:54

05 Jul 2026

#992

21.26: Setting the Pace

Our hosts explore the many tools writers can use to control pacing. We discuss how cadence... more

28 Jun 2026

24 MINS

24:22

28 Jun 2026

#991

21.25: Follow the Bouncing Ball

In this episode, our hosts explore how writers control their readers’ attention with the m... more

21 Jun 2026

25 MINS

25:49

21 Jun 2026

#990

21.24: Deconstructing the Seven Point Plot Structure

Dan Wells joins our conversation as we break down the seven-point plot structure! Using ex... more

14 Jun 2026

35 MINS

35:07

14 Jun 2026

#989

21.23: Barrier Breaking: Interruptions

In this episode, our hosts explore one of the most persistent barriers to writing: interru... more

07 Jun 2026

29 MINS

29:38

07 Jun 2026

#988

21.22: The Order of the Telling

*Time-Sensitive* Our final WXR cruise is almost sold out, grab your spot before June 4th, ... more

31 May 2026

27 MINS

27:20

31 May 2026

#987

21.21: Rhythm and Words

*Time-Sensitive* Our final WXR cruise is almost sold out, grab your spot before June 4th, ... more

24 May 2026

23 MINS

23:34

24 May 2026

#986

21.20: Sequencing from Mega to Micro

Today, we explore why writers place information in the order they do. From broad-to-narrow... more

17 May 2026

33 MINS

33:51

17 May 2026

#985

21.19: Getting Everything Connected

Today, our hosts discuss how to make every part of your story feel connected through causa... more

10 May 2026

24 MINS

24:21

10 May 2026

#984

21.18: Deconstructing the Three Act Structure

Today, we are joined by Margaret Dunlap as we dive into the three-act structure. This trad... more

03 May 2026

31 MINS

31:22

03 May 2026

#983

21.17: The Up and Down Escalators

Today we zoom out from moment-to-moment tension and look at how escalation and de-escalati... more

26 Apr 2026

28 MINS

28:16

26 Apr 2026

#982

21.16: Tension and Release as Call and Response

Today, we’re talking about tension and release as a kind of call and response, and how tha... more

19 Apr 2026

21 MINS

21:19

19 Apr 2026

#981

21.15: Using Contrast for Maximum Effect

Today, we’re talking about how to use contrast to make key moments in your story hit harde... more

12 Apr 2026