Story Works Round Table

conversations about craft

for writers and readers curious about writers

SWRT 325 | Is Art Enough? with Stephanie Elizondo Griest

SWRT 325 | Is Art Enough? with Stephanie Elizondo Griest

In this episode of the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn talk with Stephanie Elizondo Griest, author of Art Above Everything. In this perspective changing conversation, we talk all about centering your life on art. We talk about the sometimes painful journey of being an art monk, and what it means to dedicate yourself to the creation of art. Join us as we talk about the journey Stephanie has taken to realizing that Art is Enough. And what Enough even means in this capitalistic culture we live in.

SWRT 324 | The Healing Power of Nature and Memoir with Jon Lurie

SWRT 324 | The Healing Power of Nature and Memoir with Jon Lurie

In this episode, Alida Winternheimer engages in a profound conversation with Jon Lurie as we explore the healing power of nature and the intricate journey of memoir writing. Jon shares insights from his two memoirs, including his epic canoe trip along the Red River with a young man named Jose, highlighting themes of personal growth, cultural identity, and the transformative experience of connecting with the natural world. Then he speaks to the healing power of nature in his own health journey. Join us for an inspiring discussion filled with adventure, reflection, and the importance of storytelling.

SWRT 248 | Prewriting

SWRT 248 | Prewriting

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...

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SWRT 247 | Writer’s Mindset

SWRT 247 | Writer’s Mindset

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.

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SWRT 246 | Theme

SWRT 246 | Theme

Alida & Kathryn discuss their favorite topic, theme, on today’s Story Works Round Table podcast. Connect to other theme episodes in the notes.

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SWRT 245 | Emotions: their effect on story and reader

SWRT 245 | Emotions: their effect on story and reader

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.

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SWRT 244 | Weaving Time into Narrative

SWRT 244 | Weaving Time into Narrative

This week, Alida and Kathryn go deeper into the subject of writing time, specifically how to handle chronology in narrative. We have three very short examples that illustrate different methods of structuring your narrative to move the story and reader through time.

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SWRT 243/SWRS 005 | Careless Whistle

SWRT 243/SWRS 005 | Careless Whistle

On today's Story Works Reading Series, Selene Castrovilla reads the short story "Careless Whistle." If the title brings to mind a certain '80s pop tune, it (like everything in great fiction) is intentional. After the reading, Selene and I talk about her start in...

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SWRT 242 | What Goes into a Scene?

SWRT 242 | What Goes into a Scene?

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss what goes into a scene. Is there a recipe to follow? Kind of, but joke as we may, scenes are built upon certain repeatable story elements. How does pacing change with the shape of your scenes? What mistakes are commonly made at the scene level?

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SWRT 241 | Character

SWRT 241 | Character

This week on Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert talk character. What to do when your supporting characters resist the roles you’ve given them? Do you really need them all? What about developing new skills over the course of an arc? 
Could your characters benefit from a writing lesson? Story Works has creative writing workshops available today on character traits, a master class in character development, story structure, plot, and more. Live workshops for Spring 2022 are coming soon! Details at www.storyworksfiction.com 

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SWRT 240 | Time

SWRT 240 | Time

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, and Robert talk time. Free your story from strictly chronological structure. Your story’s suspense and reveals can benefit from getting creative with your handling of time.

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