Tim asks: Ray Bradbury’s Zen and the Art of Writing is an interesting collection to me, though I’ve not read much of his fiction. What do you think about taking advice from authors whose fiction you haven’t engaged with? Monty Python and the Holy Grail Bird by Bird by Anne …
Tim asks: After a years-long slump from serious depression, I’m finally writing again. Should I still take to avoid burn-out? Is it possible to write too much?
Tim asks: What’s the real difference between commercial genre fiction and less mainstream stories, besides target audiences? Is there anything the genre fiction can take from lit fic, or vice versa? Resources Mentioned: Down From Ten Another Fine Myth by Robert Asprin Bored of the Rings
Tim asks: A while ago I read an interview about quest formulas with Michael Moorcock. It occurs to me that he codified many of the tropes he used from mythology into the fantasy genre. What’s your viewpoint on tropes and conventions in commercial fiction? Resources Mentioned: TV Tropes entry “Chat …
Nichole asks: So what are some different options if you know you can’t commit to a new novel in November but want to participate with NaNoWriMo in an alternate way? Archivos
Nichole asks: When writing a series of short stories, how can I introduce recurring characters and places to my new readers without boring existing readers?
Nichole asks: I often hear about story beats for romance, but is there something similar for a sci-fi/fantasy novel? Resources Mentioned: The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe
Kitty reads an excerpt from Secrets of the Heinlein Juvenile heinleinsecrets.com
Christopher asks: I have a terminal case of “the shinies” when I’m writing. I’ll start one story, when suddenly ideas pop into my head and I’m writing six others while the first is left untouched for another month. Help? Resources Mentioned: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy heinleinsecrets.com Archivos
Ed asks: Now that it’s gone endemic, what will the impact of COVID be on “contemporary” fiction? Resources Mentioned: Unfolding the World: http://jdanielsawyer.substack.com heinleinsecrets.com
