Story Works Round Table Archives - Page 18 of 66 - Story Works Round Table Podcast

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

May 8, 2025

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

Apr 24, 2025

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 203 | Short Stories

Apr 22, 2021

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn discuss the short story. What are the particular considerations of short form fiction? What do you write when there’s no room for an arc? Is a turning point as powerful as a climax? Explore the beauty of conceptual, quiet, singular fiction. Getting specific detail, imagery, symbolism, & metaphor to work for you…so much more!

SWRT 202 | Villain Development

Apr 15, 2021

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss developing your villains. Besides making a real person out of that black hat, the shape of the villain helps shape the protagonist and even your setting. So much more comes out of what you put into that character than you may think!

SWRT 201 | Single Character Scenes

Apr 8, 2021

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss single character scenes & stories. There are challenges to having a single character on the stage of the page, some obvious some not-so-obvious. So why would you want a single-character scene? When your story calls for one, how can you ensure the movement continues to draw a reader forward? What are the roles of setting, subtext, & metaphor? Need a writing prompt? We got one!

SWRT 200 | Ensemble Cast Fiction

Apr 1, 2021

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert delve into ensemble cast fiction. Does a team of protagonists require a team of POV characters? Do you truly need a single hero at the top of your character pyramid? What are the pros and cons of writing an ensemble? And…has Robert written himself into a corner by having an ensemble cast with a single POV protagonist?

Check out our sister podcast, Story Works Reading Series, too!

SWRT 199 | Action Scenes!

Mar 18, 2021

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Robert talk all things action. What are action scenes and what you need to do to make your reader sit up and pay attention! We cover everything from choreographing your fight to multiple team action scenes, from slowing down the action to avoiding repetition, from enacting the action yourself to making the reader sweat with anticipation.

SWRT 198 | Ghosting Your Protagonist

Mar 11, 2021

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert dissect an author’s very interesting point of view & narrative choices. We take a close look at In an Instant by Suzanne Redfearn, in which the protagonist is killed early in the story. What happens to the POV? The status of protagonist? The plot? And how is agency affected when your POV character is incorporeal? Although we’re discussing a specific work, there is much to take away about the challenges and rewards of crafting a distinct, even experimental, narrative.

SWRT 197 | Technology in Fiction

Mar 4, 2021

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn talk tech. Is technology just a concern for sci fi writers? Or does it pervade every genre in our tech-enhanced world? How does keeping an eye on the tech your characters use enhance your story? And when can it become a detriment? What about the choice to ignore or erase technology from your world? Can technology limit a story’s longevity?

SWRT 196 | The Essential Nature of Story

Feb 18, 2021

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Kathryn, & Robert discuss the ways in which story is all around us. What is it that makes story so pervasive? How can we use this essential nature of story in our writing? What is the difference between telling someone facts and creating a story? Will giving our supporting characters a story of their own strengthen our protagonist’s story?

SWRT 195 | The Velcro Between Your Pro- & Antagonist

Feb 11, 2021

To make your novel work, your protagonist and antagonist need to stick together. If they aren’t sticky, the conflict will fail. This week on the Story Works Round Table, we discuss what keeps the wheels under your plot turning.

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