Story Works Round Table

conversations about craft

for writers and readers curious about writers

SWRT 307 | From Lightning Strike to Novel with Ben Hawken

SWRT 307 | From Lightning Strike to Novel with Ben Hawken

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn sit down with Ben Hawken, author of the new novel “Chandelier.” Ben shares his remarkable journey from a career in marketing and speech writing to writing his debut book. Learn how he balanced life, work, and writing to achieve his creative dreams. Ben offers insights into story structure, the art of dialogue, and practical tips for aspiring writers. Whether you’re looking to start your own writing journey or curious about the creative process, this episode is packed with inspiration and advice. Tune in now to hear Ben’s story and get motivated to pursue your own creative passions!

SWRT 306 | The Revision Mindset

SWRT 306 | The Revision Mindset

In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn delve into the often daunting world of revision. Join them as they explore the mindset shifts necessary to tackle revisions without feeling overwhelmed. They discuss the importance of understanding that revision doesn’t mean starting from scratch but rather making thoughtful adjustments to enhance your story. They share personal struggles and breakthroughs with revision, offering valuable insights and practical tips for writers facing similar challenges. Tune in to learn how to approach your manuscript with confidence and a clear plan, transforming the revision process into a manageable and even enjoyable part of your writing journey.

SWRT 132 | Strong Female Protagonists with Judy K Walker, part 2

SWRT 132 | Strong Female Protagonists with Judy K Walker, part 2

How is writing a female protagonist different from writing any protagonist? Are there genre pressures to what your female protagonist should be like, act like, or look like? How has television affected character driven fiction? And how does that effect the female protagonist? Finally, we give tips on how to address the female protagonist writing for today’s reader, no matter the genre.

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SWRT 130 | The Power of Writing to Change Lives, part 2

SWRT 130 | The Power of Writing to Change Lives, part 2

Do MPWW writers take emotional risks in their writing? How can we take a page from their book to form supportive writing communities? And how is the Twin Cities Community involved in supporting the program? Has the MPWW program affected the DOC? And what misconceptions does Jen encounter? And finally, we talk about how you can help support this program, and all the work that it is doing!

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SWRT 129 | The Power of Writing to Change Lives

SWRT 129 | The Power of Writing to Change Lives

What is the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop? How did it begin? And what is it like to go into a state prison (in MN) and teach writing? What genre does MPWW teach? And how does it help writers? What kind of community has grown out of MPWW’s work within the prison system?

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SWRT 128 | PI Novels with Judy Walker

SWRT 128 | PI Novels with Judy Walker

Why did Judy start writing PI novels? And how did her background help with the details? What are some pitfalls to avoid when writing a PI novel? And why is the narrator so important? We dive into the gray zone of legality in a PI novel, as well as how to add complexity, even if your narrator doesn’t have an arc.

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SWRT 127 | Inspiration & Activism with Talia Carner

SWRT 127 | Inspiration & Activism with Talia Carner

Should you have your theme in mind when you start the book? Is there a formula that Talia follows for her particular books? And how did her writing turn into activism? Talia’s message for all of us is to take advantage of the opportunities that you are given.

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SWRT 126 | Inspiration & Activism with Talia Carner

SWRT 126 | Inspiration & Activism with Talia Carner

What inspires writers to create a story? How small can that spark of inspiration be? Once you have the inspiration, you must also have the courage to write that story! We talk about how to write your way through a story, with only the destination in mind. And how to correctly use creative license in historical fiction.

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SWRT 125 | Fleshing Out Description in Revision

Why is description so important? And why should we focus on it, both in our first draft, and the subsequent ones? How does writing in a flow state change your ability to describe as you draft? How can you revise in description? And when should you step away from your draft in order to craft it? In the end, don’t let lack of description stop forward momentum. You can, and should, fix it later!

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SWRT 124 | Talia Carner, part 2

SWRT 124 | Talia Carner, part 2

How is the story behind the Third Daughter relevant to today’s world? Why did Talia take the story into the past rather than the present? Did the publisher object to the content of the book? And how can you keep it relatable to the readers, despite the content?

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