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 

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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, which was her debut novel, and it was awarded a Newbery Honor.

In our interview, she is very vulnerable, and she speaks candidly about first getting published and how close she was to giving up! She also tells a touching story of how one of her books literally changed the life of one of her readers. 

I know many of you are listening to learn about the writing craft. Gail teaches us about what it’s like to be a writer, and she shocked me when she said how many pages she usually cuts from a manuscript. She tells a funny story about why historical research has become a passion. And we also discuss two topics of personal interest: Greek Mythology and Peter Pan. 

This was such a fun interview for many reasons, not the least of which is that Gail has such a fun personality. I think I’ve never heard a greater hipster brag: She saw Bob Dylan in concert before he was cool! We talk about her background growing up in New York, and about how her parents empowered her as a woman and how that then became thematic throughout her writing. 

It was a blast to talk with her, and I hope you enjoy the interview with Gail Carson Levine. 

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WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://www.youtube.com/@JWashburnauthor 

LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM: https://www.jwashburn.com/swag/podcast 

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GAIL CARSON LEVINE LINKS

Website: https://www.gailcarsonlevine.com/ 

On the movie set: https://www.gailcarsonlevine.com/ella_movie.html 

RECOMMENDED READS

Castle by David Macaulay https://amzn.to/3Esvcll 

Writing on Both Sides of the Brain by Henriette Anne Klauser https://amzn.to/3EsM6QE

The Mozart Season by Virginia Euwer Wolff https://amzn.to/45FjAqR

Karen Cushman books: https://amzn.to/3Pafr7n 

The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman https://amzn.to/3EzGm7y 

The Moorchild by Eloise McGraw https://amzn.to/4643NBK 

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie https://amzn.to/483maIW

Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande https://amzn.to/3PgSRKy 

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If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestartwriting@gmail.com 

Support us on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/StartWritingPodcast 

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BUY OUR BOOKS!

JOSEPH BENDOSKI: https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Bendoski/e/B06XX7LYKL

J WASHBURN: http://library.jwashburn.com

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“Warning” by Beat Mekanik (Johnathon M. Horner), sourced from the Free Music Archive, is licensed under Creative Commons BY 4.0.

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 genre (unless you count Ready Player One). God of the Feast was a blast to read, and it’s a wonderful introduction to LitRPG. You also may learn a thing or two about the genre in this episode.   Let me point out a couple of things to look for in our show today.    First, at one point Kevin says, “I don’t believe in criticism.” I find it interesting that this is a theme I’ve heard from several authors on this podcast. It’s certainly something to think about.    Second, it’s cool how I came across Kevin’s work, and I tell the full story in the episode, but the short version is that the same narrator performs his CREATION’S BANE series and my STARCHILD series. (And, by the way, I’ll soon publish an interview with our narrator, the spectacularly talented and phenomenally British Simon Wright.)   Third, Kevin has a fascinating story of success that came from the covid lockdown. He comes from humble beginnings and now he is quite successful just a few short years later! It’s almost a fairytale.    Fourth, and last, Kevin has a phenomenal accent! (I believe it’s called Sunderland.) He’s from Northern England, not far from Scotland, and you can certainly hear the similarities. Having said that, I personally listen to podcast episodes at a very fast speed, and if that’s you too, you might want to slow it down just a bit on this episode.    Okay, I’ll ramble on no more. Here’s our episode with Kevin Sinclair on WHAT IS LIT RPG. * * * WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://www.youtube.com/@JWashburnauthor    LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM: https://www.jwashburn.com/swag/podcast  * * * KEVIN’S books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ogQ3mD    GET IN TOUCH WITH KEVIN SINCLAIR:  https://kevinsinclair.co.uk  https://twitter.com/KSinclairauthor  https://www.facebook.com/kevinsinclairbookclub/    Peter Brett’s THE DEMON CYCLE:  https://amzn.to/3PSyPXX  * * * If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestartwriting@gmail.com    Support us on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/StartWritingPodcast  * * *  BUY OUR BOOKS!   JOSEPH BENDOSKI: https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Bendoski/e/B06XX7LYKL   J WASHBURN: http://library.jwashburn.com * * *  “Warning” by Beat Mekanik (Johnathon M. Horner), sourced from the Free Music Archive, is licensed under Creative Commons BY 4.0.

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 examples of each of these. J edited STARCHILD one last time (and added a chapter!) before sending the book to his audiobook narrator. We take a forensic examination of book edits (The DaVinci Code adapted for Young Adults and the Anatomy of Peace 4th edition) to see what the pros change. Editing is a careful balance between being too clear and too obscure—go too far either direction and you’ll lose readers. Finally, you should make your book perfect before sending it for other to see (as we’ll talk about in the next episode).    * * *   If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestartwriting@gmail.com    * * *    Buy our books!   JOSEPH BENDOSKI: https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Bendoski/e/B06XX7LYKL    J WASHBURN: http://library.jwashburn.com/

We talk about the different theories that exist for blurbs, and go through writing one to show how each works.

We interview David Wright about the struggles of a common name as a writer.

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 the Order of the Phoenix. We see how the innovative MUSICAL PLOT STAFF works for organizing multiple viewpoints. And finally, we look at three short tips, which are (1) get a good editor, (2) start with the smallest plottable story chunk, and (3) keep the plot personal (not epic).    If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestartwriting@gmail.com   * * *    Buy our books!   JOSEPH BENDOSKI: https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Bendoski/e/B06XX7LYKL   J WASHBURN: http://library.jwashburn.com/

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 look at Jurassic Park and Star Wars: A New Hope as examples of how this structure works. And we also takes quick glance as the kishotenketsu model for plotting. And finally, I reveal the behind-the-scenes story of the ECKSDOT finale!    If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestartwriting@gmail.com   * * *    Buy our books!   JOSEPH BENDOSKI: https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Bendoski/e/B06XX7LYKL   J WASHBURN: http://library.jwashburn.com/

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? - Should I just figure out the plot as I go or should I write an outline?  - How does George Martin plan his FANTASY NOVELS? - How do you fix a broken plot? - Is it faster to just skip outlining and just start writing?  - What models can I structure my plot around?  - What’s the absolute simplest way to think of plot?    If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestartwriting@gmail.com   * * *    Buy our books!   JOSEPH BENDOSKI: https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Bendoski/e/B06XX7LYKL   J WASHBURN: http://library.jwashburn.com/

OUR PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/StartWritingPodcast WATCH 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.com/product/351499/The-Weave-Breaker--The-Ultimate-Spell-Sword-Class https://www.reddit.com/r/UnearthedArcana/comments/meh5ff/the_weave_breaker_the_ultimate_spell_sword_class/GETTING STARTED IN D&Dhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkVdb9Yr8fc05_VbAVfskCA

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YaUGPWGYM0w Jeanne Cavelos is an author, editor, scientist, and writing coach. In this episode, we talk about several of her works, including THE SCIENCE OF STAR WARS, several BABYLON 5 novels, and her upcoming near-future scifi novel called FATAL SPIRAL. She is the founder of a nonprofit that brings out the best in writers called the ODYSSEY WRITING WORKSHOP.   Apply to the Personal Odyssey Workshop here: http://www.odysseyworkshop.org Read some writing tips on the Odyssey Workshop Blog: https://odysseyworkshop.wordpress.com/ Listen to the Odyssey Workshop Podcast: https://www.odysseyworkshop.org/resources/podcasts/   [NOTE FROM J: Sorry for the audio quality in this episode. That's my mistake. But I'm absolutely delighted to have had this conversation with Jeanne. And my thanks to you for listening!]

SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 5) VILLAINS WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/9aTS_YrWPhI  HOMEWORK: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IYvaxzh7cfys4LP6CJZqje1wspxuNy5U-970mH7EvMY/edit?usp=sharing Episode 5 of A BEGINNER'S GUIDE to Writing a Novel is about how to create DEEP CHARACTERS. This means making them dynamic. Villains can be the opposite of heroes, meaning they're dislikable and bad. Or villains can simply have opposing goals, ones that conflict with what they hero wants. These villains are not bad by nature, but they provide antagonism in a competitive, zero-sum game. http://www.jwashburn.com J Washburn is the author of STARCHILD, an epic space opera about a rogue pilot in a galactic revolution.

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 your readers of a personality. Don’t be afraid to use repetition. Use a character outline to find the deeper emotional needs. Focus on VISION, INITIATIVE, and SPIRIT. Don’t make your hero too abnormal.    NEEDS WASHED: http://archive.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2007/11/11/lawn_needs_cut/ HOMEWORK: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IYvaxzh7cfys4LP6CJZqje1wspxuNy5U-970mH7EvMY/

Episode 3 of A BEGINNER'S GUIDE to Writing a Novel teaches about building characters from the ground up. In this episode, J Washburn and Joe Bendoski tag team in a lecture that covers emotional intelligence, mimicry, and character names. We look at examples from Charles Dickens, George Lucas, J.K. Rowling, and George R.R. Martin.  To see the visuals from the slide deck, check out this episode of Start Writing on YouTube: https://youtu.be/z2tx_8Ovv1g

This episode covers how J Washburn goes through the worldbuilding process. He touches on examples from J.K. Rowling, Brandon Sanderson, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. He explains how to make a Story Bible. Oh, and maybe most importantly, he teaches you about finding and defining your genre. Watch the episode on YouTube if you want to see the slides: https://youtu.be/LhHT98U1Pgg

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-off novel called HEAVEN’S DEVILS. I had somewhat low expectations, so I was pleasantly surprised and even impressed. William C Dietz delivered vivid characters, great descriptions, and a thoughtful, smart story. It was also fun to go on a new adventure with some of my favorite characters, including Jim Raynor and Tychus Findlay—as they’re getting their start as Space Marines.   So I reached out to Mr Dietz, and we discussed a couple of interesting insights for aspiring authors. The first centers around writing in other “IPs.” IP stands for intellectual property, and in this context, that means a world and its characters. Bill Dietz has written in a lot of famous IPs that are not his original creations, including Star Wars, Halo, StarCraft, Hitman, and Mass Effect. He tells how he got started doing this and about the highs and lows that come with this sort of work-for-hire.   The second main insight is this: He started in the traditional publishing world, and now he has a strong presence in indie publishing too. I asked him which of these two he preferred, and his answer surprised me.    This was such a fun interview. I am so impressed with his humility. I was also intrigued by his final admonition to all of us listeners.    Before we start, I wanted to make a personal comment. When I was a kid, I was so obsessed with the Jedi Knight video games that I even checked out the audio dramatizations of that story from the local library and listened to them with my older brother (who I wrote about in Stealing Indiana Jones). But it has been so long since then that I actually forgot! Well, it turns out that these novelizations were written by William C Dietz. So you’ll hear me say something in this episode that makes me sound like I was unfamiliar, but after recording this episode, I looked them up, I relistened, and all the memories came flooding back. It was a ton of fun to relive that part of my childhood. I also checked out the cool artwork of the book versions and those are impressive as well.   Okay, I’ve said enough. Here’s our START WRITING interview with William C Dietz on How to write in someone else’s world.  * * * WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://www.youtube.com/@JWashburnauthor    LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM: https://kite.link/start-writing  * * * WILLIAM C. DIETZ LINKS:    Email: william@williamcdietz.com  Website: https://williamcdietz.com   World War III: https://amzn.to/45e8JUQ  Crickets: https://amzn.to/3KMnw0I  William C. Dietz books: https://amzn.to/47BVPBv    Douglas Reeman books: https://amzn.to/45fPmuu  Franz Kafka books: https://amzn.to/3E86Cpm  Mark Twain books: https://amzn.to/3E6tbel  Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl: https://amzn.to/3YDFl7X  * * * If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestartwriting@gmail.com    Support us on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/StartWritingPodcast  * * *  BUY OUR BOOKS!   JOSEPH BENDOSKI: https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Bendoski/e/B06XX7LYKL   J WASHBURN: http://library.jwashburn.com * * *  “Warning” by Beat Mekanik (Johnathon M. Horner), sourced from the Free Music Archive, is licensed under Creative Commons BY 4.0.

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.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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/@JWashburnauthor    LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM: https://kite.link/start-writing    In this episode, B.C. Walker talks with us about these:  Writing and researching historical fiction. Drawing on family history and personal experience in your novel. Picking your protagonist's gender. How to deal with heavy themes. How to write on the side, after work.    B.C. WALKER LINKS:    Buy B.C. Walker’s The Meadowlark: https://amzn.to/3B7DvkQ  Brett’s site: https://bcwalker.com/  Brett’s essays: https://bcwalker.com/insights    * * *   If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestartwriting@gmail.com    Support us on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/StartWritingPodcast        * * *    Buy our books!   JOSEPH BENDOSKI: https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Bendoski/e/B06XX7LYKL J WASHBURN: http://library.jwashburn.com/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.com

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

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

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/@JWashburnauthor    LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM: https://kite.link/start-writing    This episode Bill Gifford talks with us about the following:   Is writing voice innate? The six-year struggle to bring a New York Times bestseller to life. What it’s like to co-author, and what to consider before you start. The “literary side” of writing a non-fiction treatise. How to add character arcs and emotion to a book ostensibly about facts. What should a writer do to stay healthy?    BILL GIFFORD LINKS:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/billgifford  INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/billgifford/?hl=en  OUTLIVE: https://amzn.to/46Y42zK  SPRING CHICKEN: https://amzn.to/3O2kTbO  Craig Childs https://amzn.to/43zdGG3  https://www.audible.com/pd/Heart-of-Darkness-A-Signature-Performance-by-Kenneth-Branagh-Audiobook/B004AFXAZS * * *   If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestartwriting@gmail.com     * * *    Buy our books!   JOSEPH BENDOSKI: https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Bendoski/e/B06XX7LYKL J WASHBURN: http://library.jwashburn.com/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 your heart.” — James Wolfhampton   In 1990, a six year old boy stole something from his neighbors. A small book.  The ultimate Indiana Jones treasure—a Grail Diary.  It promised everlasting life, but because it was stolen, the little boy didn’t dare tell his older brother—his mentor—what he’d done.  In 2020, thirty years later, that older brother passed away. Stealing Indiana Jones is the true story of these two boys and how they discover a monstrous secret: that George Lucas stole his ideas for both Star Wars and Indiana Jones. As they struggle to make sense of what this horrifying truth means for all of us fans, they find redemption along the way. Their story explores inspiration and how great stories come to life. It examines, without shying away, disillusionment and innocence doomed to die. Their story is a salute to the loss of childhood and to the loss of life. Stealing Indiana Jones is a journey through the 90s, a glimpse of boyhood and fandom, and it’s filled with both heartbreak and heroism. Most importantly, it is a quest to uncover the secret behind all great stories— The secret of immortality. † WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/-MypAgsronQ    * * * If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestartwriting@gmail.com Support us on PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/StartWritingPodcast    * * *    Buy our books!   JOSEPH BENDOSKI: https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Bendoski/e/B06XX7LYKL   J WASHBURN: http://library.jwashburn.com/

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

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