Story Works Round Table

conversations about craft

for writers and readers curious about writers

SWRT 312 | Folklore of North America with Mike Bass

SWRT 312 | Folklore of North America with Mike Bass

Are you ready to journey through the captivating world of folklore? This week on the Story Works Round Table podcast, Alida has the pleasure of sitting down with Mike Bass, a distinguished folklorist and printmaker, whose artistry is as intriguing as the stories he tells. Growing up in a house teeming with spirits, Mike’s fascination with the supernatural and the macabre has shaped his work, resulting in a unique blend of art and storytelling that captures the imagination.

Throughout the conversation, Mike and Alida explore the evolution of folklore, discussing the differences between traditional and modern tales. They delve into the role of folklore in reflecting societal values and fears, examining how stories evolve as they traverse cultural and temporal boundaries. Mike’s insights into the intersection of folklore and art reveal the enduring power of storytelling in shaping our understanding of the world.

Whether you’re an art enthusiast, folklore aficionado, or simply curious about the mysterious and the macabre, this episode promises to be a captivating exploration of the stories that shape us. Don’t forget to visit storyworkspodcast.com to view Mike’s prints and connect with his work. Happy listening!

SWRT 311 | Flying Pirates & Speculative Fiction with Sarah Branson

SWRT 311 | Flying Pirates & Speculative Fiction with Sarah Branson

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn dive into the post-dystopian world of flying pirates with author Sarah Branson. Learn about her journey from midwifery to crafting tales of adventure and resilience, blending her experiences as a midwife and science teacher into her speculative fiction characters and world building.

“I wanted to take someone who had dealt with a lot of trauma and was set in a world where she could be allowed to grow.”

“When you have a protagonist that lives in your head, who is armed and is a pirate, you do whatever she says.”

SWRT 165 | Writing Memoir with Mag Dimond part 2

SWRT 165 | Writing Memoir with Mag Dimond part 2

How does Mag view the Hero’s Journey in relation to our lives? Has she always been observant? Why does she explore the themes of love and death? And must they be viewed together in order to be understood? We wrap up talking about the spirituality of creativity.

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SWRT 163 | Titles

Why are titles so important to think about? How do they help with genre targeting, or getting your reader to pick up your book? Should your title say something about your book? And how memorable do you want it to be? We dive into how to explore your title, and where to get started!

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SWRT 162 | Dual POV in Romance

SWRT 162 | Dual POV in Romance

Do you need a dual POV in a romance novel? How do you distinguish between the POV’s? And how important is that internal journey in these stories? We talk about the struggles of writing an intimate internal journey from a point of view different from your own, and even get a laugh talking feelings with Robert.

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SWRT 161 | Grants for Writers

SWRT 161 | Grants for Writers

What is a grant? And what can they do for you as a writer? What is the process of application? And what can the funds be used for? Susan leads us through the entire process from application to acceptance for a grant, including giving her experience as both a judge, and recipient.

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SWRT 160 | Paranormal Romance

SWRT 160 | Paranormal Romance

What defines paranormal romance? And what flavor does Frances write? How do you weave paranormal elements into your overall plot? And how important is the setting and research to Frances’s work? We dive into the importance of the romantic elements, and the choices you will need to make if you choose to write in the paranormal romance genre.

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SWRT 159 | Flawed Heroes

How do you create a competent character who still has to grow? How do you utilize motivation to create plausibility? And how do you develop flaws that help your character keep their competence?

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SWRT 158 | Read Like a Writer

Do we always read like a writer? What happens when we slow down and pay attention to the books we are reading? Does reading like a writer destroy your ability to read for enjoyment? We dig into our current reads and how our reading benefits our writing.

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SWRT 157 | Subtext

What is subtext? And why is it important? Why is it so tricky to work on, or define? What effect does subtext have on the reader? We dive into an example and then talk about the ways we think you can learn how to write better subtext.

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