Story Works Round Table Archives - Page 14 of 65 - Story Works Round Table Podcast

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

Jun 5, 2025

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 323 | What Makes Writing Objectively Good?

May 22, 2025

In this episode of the Story Works Round Table, we gather a diverse panel of writers to tackle the complex question: what makes writing objectively good? Join Alida Winternheimer, Kathryn Arnold, Mark Liebenow, Daniel Kleifgen, Liz Bird, Miriam Levi, and Monic Ductan as they explore the subjective nature of writing, the challenges of judgment, and the essential components that contribute to strong storytelling. With insights from experienced fiction and nonfiction writers, this discussion is rich with practical advice and personal anecdotes. Don’t miss this enlightening conversation that dives into the heart of the writing craft!

SWRT 233 | When Your Writing Sucks

Dec 16, 2021

Have you ever wondered if your writing sucks? We’re all plagued by doubt sometimes. And other times the work just doesn’t flow. Have you ever wondered if your writing sucks? We’re all plagued by doubt sometimes. And other times the work just doesn’t flow. This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn ask themselves what to do if your writing sucks?

SWRT 232 | Voice

Dec 9, 2021

This week on the Story Works Round Table, we talk voice, what it is and where it comes from, narrative v character voice, and way more! Get all our episodes, show notes, and more at www.storyworkspodcast.com

SWRT 231 | Backstory, Why Do We Need It?

Dec 2, 2021

This week on the Story Works Round Table, we talk backstory. When do you need it? How much should you include? And how can it go wrong?

SWRT 230 | A Study of “The Log Jam”

Nov 18, 2021

Alida & Kathryn discuss an excerpt of Barry Lopez’s moving short story “The Log Jam” on this week’s Round Table.

SWRT 229 | Narrative Storytellers

Nov 11, 2021

Alida and Kathryn dig into narrative storytellers on this week’s Story Works Round Table. Have you ever written a story with a storyteller as narrator? That’s a narrator that is not invisible, like the typical authorial narrator, and is not a character, like a first person narrator. But this narrator is full of personality and can be as opinionated as you like. A storyteller’s voice evokes a sense of being present, of hearing the story is essential to creating a storyteller experience for the reader.

SWRT 228 | NaNoWriMo

Nov 4, 2021

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn talk NaNoWriMo and pushing for big word counts. November is underway, but it’s not too late to join NaNoWriMo, so if you’ve been on the fence, check out Kathryn’s experience with and advice on National Novel Writing Month. But if you’re like Alida, you might fall into the “not for me” camp. We’ve got both sides covered in this week’s conversation about craft.

SWRT 227 | In Media Res

Oct 28, 2021

What does it mean to open in the middle of action? We talk in media res on this week’s Story Works Round Table.

SWRT 226 | Introducing Characters

Oct 21, 2021

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Robert talk about introducing characters to your readers on the page. After you’ve invested in your characters’ development, make sure you don’t skimp on the process of making introductions. There is a craft to making a solid first impression on your reader. One that doesn’t overwhelm with a dump of traits but spirals the details of a person, physical and intangible, in a meaningful way into the character’s first scene.

SWRT 225 | Fear

Oct 14, 2021

Alida and Robert sit down at the Story Works Round Table to talk fear this week. How do we get our readers to feel fear from just the written word? What craft tools can we employ? It’s one thing with a wide-angle narrative lens, but what about a close third POV? We...

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