Story Works Round Table Archives - Page 10 of 66 - Story Works Round Table Podcast

SWRT 336 | Going Indie with Catherine Lyon

Nov 20, 2025

In this episode, Alida Winternheimer sits down with Catherine Lyon to explore the world of independent publishing, or “going indie.” They share their experiences navigating the challenges that come with being self-published while also celebrating the incredible joy of seeing their books in readers’ hands. Both Alida and Catherine are award-winning authors who initially pursued the traditional publishing path. Tune in for an insightful conversation about their decision to go indie and whether they would choose differently if given the opportunity.

SWRT 335 | Author’s Chat: Anthology Collaboration

Nov 6, 2025

In this episode of the Story Works Round Table, we delve into the art of anthology writing with authors Sarah Branson, Annie M. Ballard, and Christy Matheson. Join Alida and Kathryn as we discuss the experience of writing and producing the anthology Where Kindness Lives: A Women’s Fiction Anthology. We discuss the challenges and joys of collaborative storytelling and the unique dynamics of writing short fiction. Tune in for insights that will inspire both aspiring and seasoned writers!

SWRT 272 | Chapter End-hooks

Jan 5, 2023

This week, Alida and Kathryn talk about ending chapters so that readers can’t wait to “jump the gap” and get on with the next one. What kind of end-hooks work and how? Do we instinctively know where to place our chapter breaks? Is there a formula to follow? Or maybe the story guides us? How to handle end-hooks when you change POV characters at the chapter break? When not to use an epigraph before your chapters, and more!

SWRT Holiday Message

Dec 22, 2022

We’ll be spending extra time with our families this month, but will be back with all new podcast episodes in January 2023. Subscribe so you don’t miss a single one. Watch this short message for a special gift! Happy Holidays! Do you enjoy the show? Do you...

SWRT 271 | Character Motivation

Dec 15, 2022

We’re talking character motivation. It’s crucial to every element of your story and you’ll do yourself a favor by having a handle on it in the prewriting stages. We talk about the protagonist, the reader, and you, the writer. Also, how motivation relates to flaws and conflicts, and how a series differs from a standalone.

SWRT 270 | Backstory

Dec 1, 2022

This week on the Story Works Round Table: conversations about craft, Kathryn and Alida discuss writing backstory. It’s been coming up for both of us lately, including in Alida’s fiction coaching group. What is the one critical element to getting it right? How do you successfully transition your narrative into and out of backstory? Want a great example of a great author deftly handling backstory? We got one!

SWRT 269 | Villains & Act II

Nov 17, 2022

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida & Kathryn discuss what to do with your villain in act II. As we know, they aren’t usually black-hat-evil-doers, but we still need an escalation of stakes for our protagonist. How do we keep act II moving along at a good pace, whether our villain is a bad person or a force or situation in our character’s life that causes challenges? We look at multiple scenarios for our heroes and what to do to keep them and the villain rising toward the climax.

SWRT 268 | Writing Scary Stories

Nov 3, 2022

If Halloween inspired you get your Boo! on, this episode of the Story Works Round Table is for you. Alida and Kathryn talk the craft of scaring the pants off your readers. But this isn’t just a skill for horror writers. We all need to write scenes from time to time full of dramatic suspense, an eerie mood, or dark twists. Loaded with examples and how-to, you’re sure to be ready to write scary!

Let us know what you learned from this episode, what you liked, what you have questions on. Suggest a topic for future episodes. And if you think you’d be a good co-host, let us know!

Get the Scary Monsters & Super Creeps writing workshop at www.StoryWorksFiction.com

SWRT 267 | Agency

Oct 20, 2022

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss character agency. In this, Robert’s final episode as a co-host, he brought us the question of what to do with a character who is kept “on the back foot”? How do you write a protagonist with agency when the hero is in a position that seemingly rules out taking charge? This episode will be linked in the show notes to all related episodes in the library.

Would you like to be considered as the next co-host on the Story Works Round Table? Drop me a line!

Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.

SWRT 266 | Writing Humor

Oct 6, 2022

This week, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn answer a listener’s question about writing humor into our stories. Is comedy just a special gift some writers have and the rest of us don’t? Or are there things we can craft to make our story moments funny?

Join us as we explore the topic and let us know your favorite funny authors as well as how you handle comedic moments in your writing. Share in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!

Do you have a question or topic you’d like us to explore? Let us know. We’d be happy to!

SWRT 265 | Read Widely to Improve Craft

Sep 22, 2022

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss all the ways reading widely benefits you as a writer. There is so much more to be gained from reading as a writer than reading as a reader. Kathryn attests that her story craft has improved by reading beyond her favorite genre. How has reading improved your storytelling? What are the pitfalls to avoid when shopping for books? How can you find the books with the scenes that will deliver the help you need as a writer?

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