Episode 160 - Should our story have a theme?

We are learning fiction techniques, and we are or soon will be skilled fiction writers.  Does this mean we should design our own book covers?  Also, Michael Chabon's terrific sense of smell.  And the use of details in the haunted house.Support the show

Having readers fall in love with our character is so important, and making our hero an underdog is a good way to do it.  Here are thoughts on underdog characters.  Also, I'll read a few character descriptions from master story-tellers that may make us stronger writers.Support the show

Our story should be like a state fair: one thing after another.  Here are some ideas on state fair plotting.  Plus: settings shouldn't be inert locations in our novel or short story but rather should work for our story.  Here's how to get the most from our settings.  Also: my experiment with AI proofreading.Support the show

Readers want five things in a story, three of which are right in the beginning.  Here's a discussion of how to deliver those five things.  Plus, a character's thoughts are the least interesting aspect of a story.  How can we show what a character is thinking without entering her mind?Support the show

Best-selling writers disagree on the importance of a theme in stories.  Here are thoughts on whether we should present a theme in our novel or short story.  And famous authors on their writing discipline.  Plus, mixing genres when telling an agent or publisher about our novel.Support the show

Putting a sidekick into our story adds many benefits, a main one being that readers love sidekicks.  Here are some techniques for creating a sidekick for our novel or short story.  Also, a list of catchy, memorable novel titles.  And a big question: how do bad novels get published?Support the show

Were a young writer to ask me for advice, and only had one minute to listen, here is what I'd say.  Plus: how Louisa May Alcott worked.  And, avoiding the blahs and self-doubts when writing.Support the show

Remember the fabulous worlds that fantasy, sci fi, and historical writers create for us readers?  How do they do that?  What works so well?  I'll talk about world-building, not just for those novels but for all genres.  And also: more on the critical craft of character description.Support the show

Many readers only give a story ten or twenty pages before putting it aside to look for something more interesting.  A fast start is the best way to maintain the reader's interest.  Here's how to write the fast start.  Also, how Alice Munro worked, and Richard Ford's rules of writing.Support the show

Manon in Paris asked, "Why do some novels move us more than others?"  Here is the single best way to make our story unforgettable, a story that moves the reader.  Also, have we heard the advice, "Write what you know?"  It's bad advice, and here are thoughts on it.Support the show