START WRITING Podcast: “Writing Her Story: A heartfelt conversation with Gail Carson Levine” “DAMN FINE SPACE OPERA!” — James Wolfhampton Get your copy of STARCHILD today! http://starchild1.jwashburn.com * * * This episode is dedicated to my daughter. It’s an interview with Gail Carson Levine. I am sure you are familiar with her book Ella Enchanted, which was her debut novel, and it was awarded a Newbery Honor. In our interview, she is very vulnerable, and she speaks candidly about first getting...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 26 min
SW 136 INT “WHAT IS LitRPG?” Interview with KEVIN SINCLAIR, author of the Creation’s Bane novels! “DAMN FINE SPACE OPERA!” — James Wolfhampton Get your copy of STARCHILD today! http://starchild1.jwashburn.com * * * Today I’m excited to introduce Kevin Sinclair! He writes LitRPG, which I had heard about, but before I read his book, I’d never read the genre (unless you count Ready Player One). God of the Feast was a blast to read, and it’s a wonderful introduction to LitRPG. You also may learn a t...
Sep 27, 2023•1 hr 3 min
START WRITING Podcast: “How to write in someone else’s world,” an interview with William C. Dietz, author of Star Wars, Halo, StarCraft, Hitman, and Mass Effect novels! “DAMN FINE SPACE OPERA!” — James Wolfhampton Get your copy of STARCHILD today! http://starchild1.jwashburn.com * * * I’m a fan of the StarCraft videogames, and I recently read a spin-off novel called HEAVEN’S DEVILS. I had somewhat low expectations, so I was pleasantly surprised and even impressed. William C Dietz delivered vivid...
Aug 23, 2023•1 hr 25 min
Subscribe to THE INFORMANT to get a free copy of STEALING INDIANA JONES! http://theinformant.jwashburn.com Buy Stealing Indiana Jones on Kindle: http://stealingindy.jwashburn.com Buy Stealing Indiana Jones on Audible: http://stealingindyaudio.jwashburn.com * * * WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://www.youtube.com/@JWashburnauthor LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM: https://kite.link/start-writing In this episode, B.C. Walker talks with us about these: Writing and res...
Aug 02, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Subscribe to THE INFORMANT to get a free copy of STEALING INDIANA JONES! http://theinformant.jwashburn.com Buy Stealing Indiana Jones on Kindle: http://stealingindy.jwashburn.com Buy Stealing Indiana Jones on Audible: http://stealingindyaudio.jwashburn.com * * * WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://www.youtube.com/@JWashburnauthor LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM: https://kite.link/start-writing This episode Bill Gifford talks with us about the following: Is writing...
Jul 20, 2023•1 hr 19 min
AUDIBLE: http://stealingindyaudio.jwashburn.com/ KINDLE: http://stealingindy.jwashburn.com/ NEWSLETTER: http://theinformant.jwashburn.com/ EMAIL: me@jwashburn.com SW SPECIAL STEALING INDIANA JONES: An essay on inspiration and death and how George Lucas hijacked the greatest stories of our time. † “[Stealing Indy] will pique your intellect and break your heart.” — James Wolfhampton In 1990, a six year old boy stole something from his neighbors. A small book. The ultimate Indiana Jones treasure—a ...
Jun 14, 2023•1 hr 23 min
Subscribe to THE INFORMANT to get a free copy of STEALING INDIANA JONES! http://theinformant.jwashburn.com Buy Stealing Indiana Jones on Kindle: http://stealingindy.jwashburn.com Buy Stealing Indiana Jones on Audible: http://stealingindyaudio.jwashburn.com * * * WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/vY3Q0CpGEWw * * * Rob MacGregor wrote the novelization of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and we discuss how he added depth to that story than you don’t see in the film. Then we ...
Jun 07, 2023•1 hr 18 min
Start Writing interview with author Max McCoy: CAN INDIANA JONES TIME TRAVEL? Subscribe to THE INFORMANT to get a free copy of STEALING INDIANA JONES! http://theinformant.jwashburn.com Buy Stealing Indiana Jones on Kindle: http://stealingindy.jwashburn.com Buy Stealing Indiana Jones on Audible: http://stealingindyaudio.jwashburn.com * * * WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/Ac1czjZ2-F4 In this episode, we ask questions of Max McCoy, author of four Indiana Jones novels, includi...
May 03, 2023•1 hr 19 min
SW INT 130 Rennie Saunders talks SHUT UP & WRITE In this episode, we talk to Rennue Saunders, founder of Shut Up & Write, and organization designed to give writers camaraderie and motivation to complete their writing goals. Watch the interview video here: https://youtu.be/RGKwlIEBmpM * * * LET’S BE FRIENDS: If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestartwriting@gmail.com Support us on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/StartWritingPodcast And buy our books! JOSEPH BENDOSKI: https://www.amazon...
Apr 05, 2023•1 hr
SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 10) EDITING TOGETHER WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/wsDodceAOqg Episode 10 of A BEGINNER'S GUIDE to Writing a Novel teach about getting feedback from peers and readers. First, Raiders of the Lost Ark is an excellent example of how to cut all but the best stuff. The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time shows us that the mundane can be made magical with very small tweaks. Harry Potter Illustrated has tons of typos, which means it’s okay to n...
Mar 01, 2023•35 min
SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 9) EDITING ALONE WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/dcrIFhpq6HY Episode 9 of A BEGINNER'S GUIDE to Writing a Novel teaches you how to be a damn fine editor. We talk about when you should NOT be editing. The different levels of editing are CONTENT, CHAPTER, and COPY editing, and we review examples of each of these. J edited STARCHILD one last time (and added a chapter!) before sending the book to his audiobook narrator. We take a forensic ...
Feb 01, 2023•43 min
SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 8) SUBPLOTS (Joe’s favorite episode) WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/HOYNat1l03Y Episode 8 of A BEGINNER'S GUIDE to Writing a Novel teaches you how to do subplots. First, we review PLOT CLOCKS. Then we look at a model called SUBPLOT RAINBOWS. We follow along with how J.K. Rowling outlined the Order of the Phoenix. We see how the innovative MUSICAL PLOT STAFF works for organizing multiple viewpoints. And finally, we look at three short ...
Nov 01, 2022•44 min
SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 7) PLOT CLOCK WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/zR-IPvGfAbg Episode 7 of A BEGINNER'S GUIDE to Writing a Novel teaches you how J Washburn structures a story using a PLOT CLOCK! The main points of this clock are (1) HOOK, (2) PLEDGE, (3) TURN, (4) PRESTIGE, (5) FINALE. We take an in-depth look at Jurassic Park and Star Wars: A New Hope as examples of how this structure works. And we also takes quick glance as the kishotenketsu model for p...
Oct 04, 2022•38 min
SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 6) PLOT FROM SCRATCH WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/_dWnYmQ83M8 Episode 6 of A BEGINNER'S GUIDE to Writing a Novel is the easiest way to write a plot! We start with a letter from a listener, and we address questions like these: - Should I write my story from the finale and work backward? - Should I just figure out the plot as I go or should I write an outline? - How does George Martin plan his FANTASY NOVELS? - How do you fix a broken...
Sep 03, 2022•36 min
OUR PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/StartWritingPodcast WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/Ggg13QPw8qs Ray's RUNNING OFF THE RAILS podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/running-off-the-rails/id1546572690https://pca.st/podcast/6c329090-2adc-0139-32e0-0acc26574db2https://runningofftherails.com/WEAVE BREAKER D&D build: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/351499/The-Weave-Breaker--The-Ultimate-Spell-Sword-Class https://www.reddit.com/r/UnearthedArcana/comments/meh5ff/the_weave_breaker_the...
Mar 04, 2022•57 min
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YaUGPWGYM0w Jeanne Cavelos is an author, editor, scientist, and writing coach. In this episode, we talk about several of her works, including THE SCIENCE OF STAR WARS, several BABYLON 5 novels, and her upcoming near-future scifi novel called FATAL SPIRAL. She is the founder of a nonprofit that brings out the best in writers called the ODYSSEY WRITING WORKSHOP. Apply to the Personal Odyssey Workshop here: http://www.odysseyworkshop.org Read some wri...
Jan 29, 2022•57 min
SW SPECIAL J‘s Beginner‘s Guide (part 5) VILLAINS WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/9aTS_YrWPhI HOMEWORK: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IYvaxzh7cfys4LP6CJZqje1wspxuNy5U-970mH7EvMY/edit?usp=sharing Episode 5 of A BEGINNER'S GUIDE to Writing a Novel is about how to create DEEP CHARACTERS. This means making them dynamic. Villains can be the opposite of heroes, meaning they're dislikable and bad. Or villains can simply have opposing goals, ones that conflict with what they...
Jan 07, 2022•47 min
WATCH ON YOUTUBE (with cool visuals): https://youtu.be/6I_9yB4vojs Episode 4 of A BEGINNER’S GUIDE to Writing a Novel gives you tips on how to create real and empathetic characters: Keep your cast small. Make every character physically and emotionally unique. Make sure readers can find the right button on the microwave. Use simple tags to remind your readers of a personality. Don’t be afraid to use repetition. Use a character outline to find the deeper emotional needs. Focus on VISION, INITIATIV...
Nov 18, 2021•37 min
Episode 3 of A BEGINNER'S GUIDE to Writing a Novel teaches about building characters from the ground up. In this episode, J Washburn and Joe Bendoski tag team in a lecture that covers emotional intelligence, mimicry, and character names. We look at examples from Charles Dickens, George Lucas, J.K. Rowling, and George R.R. Martin. To see the visuals from the slide deck, check out this episode of Start Writing on YouTube: https://youtu.be/z2tx_8Ovv1g
Sep 23, 2021•44 min
This episode covers how J Washburn goes through the worldbuilding process. He touches on examples from J.K. Rowling, Brandon Sanderson, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. He explains how to make a Story Bible. Oh, and maybe most importantly, he teaches you about finding and defining your genre. Watch the episode on YouTube if you want to see the slides: https://youtu.be/LhHT98U1Pgg
Aug 27, 2021•52 min
We've had a lot of listeners ask us where to start. Our backlog spans many years! So this is meant to be tips for a beginner. It was put together with J as the lead, rather than Joe. See the video version here: https://youtu.be/dB37b0tUIzs Let us know what you think: me@jwashburn.com
Jul 22, 2021•43 min
In the marketing group, we discuss the Email Super-fan Model approach and talk about how it can change how you run FB ads, how to set up the email chain, and what you are selling beyond just books. Email: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.com Patreon.com/startwritingpodcast Website: http://joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing
Jun 16, 2021•46 min
We talk to Bryan Collins about writing dialogue in non-fiction, and how journaling can be used to inform and fuel it. He talks about how he and other authors build a business around their non-fiction writing, and how time and events can change things. Email: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.com Patreon.com/startwritingpodcast Website: http://joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing
Jun 16, 2021•24 min
We take a very detailed look at Facebook & Amazon ads, setting them up, evaluating them, and targeting. There is a video that goes along with this on the Patreon Page. Video: https://www.patreon.com/StartWritingPodcast Email: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.com Patreon.com/startwritingpodcast Website: http://joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing
May 12, 2021•42 min
We discuss what Swtichtracking and staying-on-your-own-track mean, and how to use them in dialogue to create tension and conflict. Email: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.com Patreon.com/startwritingpodcast Website: http://joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing Hills Like White Elephants https://miettecast.com/2005/06/22/hills-like-white-elephants/
May 12, 2021•23 min
We talk about Writing-On-The-Nose and how to address it. We go over examples and explore how it is approached in different genres. Email: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.com Patreon.com/startwritingpodcast Website: http://joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing
Apr 06, 2021•25 min
Brett Godfrey talks about how he writes dialogue. How he got one of the top narrators to take on his books, even though he had just launched it, and it's his first novel. Email: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.com jbendoski@gmail.com Patreon.com/startwritingpodcast
Mar 17, 2021•54 min
We look at the body language of action beats and breakdown how it can be used to build tension in a scene and look at multi-layering your dialogue for better pacing, and less predictable lines. Email: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.com jbendoski@gmail.com Patreon.com/startwritingpodcast
Feb 15, 2021•23 min
Sandra Montanino talks about her new book, The Weight of Salt: A Gripping Story of Love and Courage and how she crafts dialogue. Email: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.com jbendoski@gmail.com Patreon.com/startwritingpodcast
Jan 20, 2021•43 min
We continue our discussion on dialogue. This time we dig into action beats, one-actor-per-paragraph, subtext, stuffing for emphasis vs. shuffling for rhythm. Website: Joseph-bendoski.com/start-writing Email: Pleasestartwriting@gmail.com jbendoski@gmail.com Patreon.com/startwritingpodcast
Nov 29, 2020•35 min
