Question 1096: How To Write a Worstseller
Joe asks:Lots of people have opinions about how to write a bestseller. What are some of the more interesting and counter intuitive ways to write a book that never sells at all? Sponsored by Archivos
Question 1095: Dictation and Twisty Plots
Tim asks:I’ve noticed dictation results in a more twisty story than typing, at least for me. I guess I’m curious if there are any techniques you use that alter the kind of story that results? Resources Mentioned:The Clarke Lantham MysteriesJ. Daniel Sawyer Fiction Podcast
Question 1093: Mentally Tough Characters
Tim asks:Grit. How do you express a character’s mental toughness whether they’re a Point of View character or not? Resources mentioned:The Gulag ArchipelagoWitnessTakenJohn Wick Sponsored by Archivos
Question 1092: Destructive Writing Advice
Joe asks:What writing advice would have totally tanked you as a writer if you hadn’t ignored it? Resources Mentioned:The Collected Poems of Emily DickensonThe Best of Hemingway
Question 1091: Individual Characters or Chessmen?
Tim asks:Do you see your characters more like real people or more like toys with all manner of features to employ in the narrative? Resources mentioned: On Fairy-Stories by JRR TolkienLast Days of Socrates by PlatoBiblical Book of JobCollected Classic Novels of HG WellsDavid Mamet Masterclass
Question 1090: Creative Partnerships
Ed asks:Can you riff on creative partnerships, particularly long term? What makes them succeed? What makes them fail? How does one find a creative partner? And how does one adapt or change when a creative partnership ends? Resources Mentioned:The Expanse by James S.A. CoreyThe Man Who Wrote Frankenstein by John …
Question 1089: Creating Effective Antagonists
Khellen asks:My antagonist hasn’t shown up halfway through the book and I’m not sure what to do. How do you build an effective antagonist for your stories? Resources Mentioned: Suave Rob’s Awesome Adventures by J. Daniel SawyerThe Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Sponsored by Archivos
Question 1088: Writing Implements
Dawn asks: Which is best for writing: typing, longhand, or dictation? Why? Sponsored by Archivos
Question 1087: Expanding a Short Story Into a Novel
Nichole asks:I’m having trouble expanding my short story into a novel. Can you give some techniques and examples? Resources: Predestination and Other Games of Chance (full cast audio podcast by J. Daniel Sawyer) Nightfall by Isaac Asimov novel, short story
Questions 1086: Networking for Writers
Dawn asks:How should a lonely writer go about networking with other writers?