Story Works Round Table

conversations about craft

for writers and readers curious about writers

SWRT 322 | A Writer’s Responsibility to Ghosts of the Past: Historical Fiction with J.E. Weiner

SWRT 322 | A Writer’s Responsibility to Ghosts of the Past: Historical Fiction with J.E. Weiner

In this episode of the Story Works Round Table, Alida Winternheimer and Kathryn Arnold sit down with J.E. Weiner, the author of the captivating novel The Wretched and Undone. This Southern Gothic tale, set in the Texas Hill Country, intertwines history and supernatural elements as it explores the immigrant experience during the American Civil War. Join us for a deep dive into the book’s rich characters, the haunting themes of faith and family, and the fascinating historical research that brought this story to life. Whether you’re a lover of historical fiction or simply curious about the creative process, this conversation is not to be missed!

SWRT 321 | Worldbuilding Historical Fantasy with Bjorn Leesson

SWRT 321 | Worldbuilding Historical Fantasy with Bjorn Leesson

In this week’s episode of the Story Works Round Table, Alida Winternheimer and Kathryn Arnold welcome Bjorn Leesson, an author whose passion for history and the supernatural has culminated in his captivating series, Outside the Thalsparr. Join us as we explore the unique blend of Viking history and time travel, uncovering the fascinating role of women in Viking culture and the intricate world-building that brings Bjorn’s characters to life. Discover how Bjorn weaves historical facts with fantasy elements, creating a narrative that spans 1200 years. This episode is a must-listen for fans of historical fiction and fantasy alike!

SWRT 224 | Antagonistic Forces

SWRT 224 | Antagonistic Forces

This week, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn talk about villains you can't vanquish: How do you handle a villain that can't wear a hat, black or otherwise? When your story calls for a force instead of a figure, what does that mean for your plot? For your character? What do...

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SWRT 223 | Dystopian Fiction in Dystopian Times

SWRT 223 | Dystopian Fiction in Dystopian Times

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn talk about writing dystopian fiction when the world we’re living in seems dystopian. What does a dystopian story have to offer readers who already feel left out or beat down? Maybe…a lot.

Register for Memory Emotion Body and save your seat in this new writing workshop. We’re going to delve into the writer’s first tools…oneself! Get all the details and sign up at www.storyworksfiction.com

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SWRT 222 | Storycraft through Time

SWRT 222 | Storycraft through Time

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert talk about the changes we’ve noticed in storycraft when reading books of past eras. How has storytelling changed with the times and what elements of craft should we hang onto?

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SWRT 221 | Writing BIG Scenes

SWRT 221 | Writing BIG Scenes

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert talk about those big, really BIG, scenes. When your story demands an epic battle or riot or disaster, how can you create the right blend of massive action & personal emotion? What are the pitfalls of multiple points of view in epic scenes? And lots more today at the Round Table. Pull up a chair & join us!
Register for this Sunday’s Writing Backstory into Your Now-story & other workshops at www.storyworksfiction.com.

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SWRT 220 | Writer as Student of Human Nature

SWRT 220 | Writer as Student of Human Nature

Writers are naturally students of human nature. How can we develop our characters if we aren’t naturally curious about people? We three writers find ourselves putting our friends, family, neighbors, even strangers under our version of the microscope. What do we–and our stories–gain as observers of human nature? Where does our authenticity come from as writers? Is there a method to our madness? 

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SWRT 219 | Nitty Gritty: Grammar & More

SWRT 219 | Nitty Gritty: Grammar & More

Do creative writers truly need to sweat grammar, punctuation, & more? The answer may be obvious, but not why, how, & what to do about it. Today, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert dive into the nitty gritty of exceptional writing and carry it through to a “full stop.”

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SWRT 218 | Better Description through Revision

SWRT 218 | Better Description through Revision

This week at the Story Works Round Table, we cover one of Kathryn’s current pain points: when description doesn’t happen while drafting and how to get it done in revision. The role of description is much richer in your story than you may think.

Previously aired as episode #125.

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SWRT 216 | What We’re Reading & How We Chose It

SWRT 216 | What We’re Reading & How We Chose It

This week, we return the subject of what we’re reading now. We get into not only the titles we’re into, but what makes them work and maybe not work as well as they could. We have a variety of reasons for what we choose to read beyond “pleasure” and the books are not all in our genres. You might be surprised by which popular and award-winning novel we dissect. How did you feel about All…?

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