Story Works Round Table Archives - Page 38 of 65 - Story Works Round Table Podcast

SWRT 277 | Contests with Paula Sheridan

Mar 23, 2023

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida has Paula Sheridan of the Page Turner Awards joining me at the Round Table to discuss contests. We talk the reasons for entering contests, what judges look for, and getting your manuscript in shape before placing it in judge’s hands.

I’m especially excited about today’s show, because Paula founded the Page Turner Awards. She and her husband, Ken, are doing something unique—at least I’ve never of heard of it being done before.

They are bridging the traditional and indie worlds, holding an annual contest for writers of all stripes and any genre in one place. Not only that, a trophy is nice and a gold seal on your cover does boost sales, but how about winning a mentorship with a developmental editor? How about winning your book being adapted to audio or a screenplay?

Visit www.storyworkspodcast.com to grab Paula’s gifts to Story Works Round Table listeners and get links to all the great craft episodes you’ll want to get your work in shape for the judges!

Fiction Group Coaching new session begins in May. Schedule a discovery call with Alida today. www.wordessential.com/editing/coach.

Visit www.storyworkspodcast.com to grab Paula’s gifts to Story Works Round Table listeners and get links to all the great craft episodes you’ll want to get your work in shape for the judges!

Fiction Group Coaching new session begins in May. Schedule a discovery call with Alida today. www.wordessential.com/editing/coach.

SWRT 276 | Things We Say

Mar 9, 2023

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Kathryn turns the table on Alida. We talk “things we say,” all those bits and bobbles of craft speak that get tossed around but not always defined. What does it mean to be tightly plotted? Does every character need a lie or core wound, and are those the same thing?

SWRT 017 | Genre Series: Literary Fiction with Mike Stop Continues

Aug 30, 2017

How do you define literary fiction? And is there a value judgment between literary and genre? Is literary just a feeling or can we measure it? And how can you make your own novel literary? Want to pick up a literary book – we’ve got plenty of examples for you to choose from!

SWRT 016 | Cliffhangers

Aug 24, 2017

What is the difference between a cliffhanger, an end hook, and an ambiguous ending? And what about cliffhangers within books versus at the end? How can you avoid cliffhangers within a series? And what does the reader actually want at the end of the book, story, or part in a serial?

SWRT 015 | Fantasy Adventure with Alina Sayre

Aug 17, 2017

What makes a fantasy a fantasy? Can you combine fantasy with other genres? What are the main things that go into a fantasy novel? And what are reader expectations of your world and characters? And what are some pitfalls you need to avoid as a fantasy writer?

SWRT 014 | Foreshadowing Redux with Mike Stop Continues

Aug 10, 2017

Since our last conversation about foreshadowing created more questions than answers we decided to try again! Here we lay down a solid definition of foreshadowing and talk about why you want to do it, and how to do it well. What elements in your story can foreshadowing be used in? Does it require hindsight? And are you opening loops? Or providing answers to questions the reader hasn’t even thought to ask?

SWRT 013 | Plotting Science Fiction with Chris Fox

Aug 3, 2017

How important is the science in science fiction? What are some conventions of science fiction? And when should you break them? How can you use names to bridge the familiar and unfamiliar? And are there any genres you can’t mash in with science fiction?

SWRT 012 | Foreshadowing

Jul 27, 2017

As a writer, do you consciously try for foreshadowing, or is it a miraculous surprise? What feeling should foreshadowing give the reader? And what are the differences between foreshadowing, laying clues, or layering plot elements? What truly is the nuance of this portion of the craft, and is it okay that all of us have different definitions?

SWRT 011 | Openings – Reading/Reacting

Jul 20, 2017

We take a deep dive into three sample openings from literary novels. Want to know what your readers latch on to? How do you deliver a strong character in just a few paragraphs? And can you telegraph what your story is about in such a small space? What are the most important elements of an opening? And do we want to keep reading?

SWRT 010 | Genre Series: Mystery Plots with Sara Rosett

Jul 13, 2017

What makes a mystery plot different from other kinds of genre plots? When should your body show up? And how do you finesse the art of keeping readers in suspense? When and how should you craft your twists, and how do point of view and genre limit your mystery plot points? And how do you keep your protagonist from just calling the police?

SWRT 009 | Middle Grade Fantasy with Alina Sayre

Jun 29, 2017

How does a writers philosophy of writing affect their voice? And how does the canon of literature you grew up on help you develop as a writer? What are the differences between middle grade and adult fantasy? And what is a middle grade reader looking for? Can you write to specific themes within a middle grade book? And how do you get those children to sound like children while still driving your story? Above all, it’s all about staying true to your own voice and who you are as a writer!

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