This week, Alida and Kathryn sit down with N.L. Holmes, an archaeologist turned novelist, who crafts mysteries set in ancient Egypt. Join us as we explore her unique journey, the challenges of writing about a distant culture, and the art of blending historical accuracy with engaging storytelling. Whether you’re a fan of her novels or an aspiring writer, this episode is packed with insights into the world of historical fiction and the mystery genre.
In this episode of the Story Works Round Table, Alida Winternheimer and Kathryn Arnold have a lively discussion with award-winning author CC Robinson about the art of staging action scenes in writing. Drawing from her theater background, CC shares insights on blocking fight scenes and how to orient readers within the physical space of a story effectively. With real-time sketches and engaging dialogue, we explore the interplay of character goals, motivations, and the dynamics of action sequences. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable tips to elevate your storytelling craft.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss openings, when and how to begin your novel. This episode will be linked in the show notes to all related episodes in the library.
What does your opening page communicate to a reader? When should you open with a prologue and when in media res? How do you introduce your world without bogging the reader down in info dumps or backstory? Is everything in your opening essential?
Story Works Reading Series is open for submissions. Do you have a short story or essay you’d like to read on a literary journal for your ears? Submit today at www.storyworkspodcast.com/submit.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert talk about describing your characters’ faces so they make an impression on your readers. Faces are so much more than a list of physical traits, brown hair, deep eyes, cleft chin. Lists are forgettable. When you describe your characters, strive to convey an impression of the *person* through the face.
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn talk about that slippery subject, ambiguity in story. What is it? How does it function in story? How & why it can disappoint or disgruntle readers (like Kathryn!). How it’s different from a hook. More!
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, & Kathryn talk description. Have you considered the purpose and power of description in your narrative before? Given that most of story is narrative, how you tell it matters. At the heart of narrative is description.
Looking for inspiration or want to know you’re not alone in this crazy creative process called storytelling? Curious about how other writers spend writing time outside of drafting?
This week, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn talk about the ways we make writing our practice and practice our writing. Before launching a project, when problem solving, or developing a new skill, we hone our craft. Just like painters with their sketchbooks, we have our notebooks.
Submit to the Story Works Reading Series today. We want to read your short story or essay!
Summer Session - apply nowSpecial pay what you can session.Could your characters benefit from a writing lesson? Alida has creative writing workshops available today on character traits, a master class in character development, story structure, plot, and more. Live...
This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn dig into the writer’s mindset. When we’re facing challenges of motivation, inspiration, or just plain old scheduling, what can we do to get out of the rut and get back to what matters, what matters to us, that is? Sometimes the hardest thing to accept and act on is that it really is up to us (and no one else) if and when we write. Whether the world is humming along or falling apart at the macro or micro level, it still comes down to what we want and are willing to do for what we want.
Do you want to write?
Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.
Alida & Kathryn discuss their favorite topic, theme, on today’s Story Works Round Table podcast. Connect to other theme episodes in the notes.
This week, Alida and Kathryn talk about emotions. A critical element of any story, it’s not always obvious why or when we need them. Even trickier is how to put a feeling into words that translate beyond meaning, that actually make the reader feel what the character is feeling or something more. Crafting words on the page with the goal of emotional depth, intensity, or power is a worthwhile goal for any writer.