Against Worldbuilding
OnI can show you the world. Shining, shimmering splendid. Tell me, writer, now when did you last read a worldbuilding guide?
Tag: Writing Advice
Writing Advice Is Useless
OnThe best way to make money as a writer is to publish a book of writing advice. There are hundreds of these books, promising all kinds of things. They range from soft, gentle promises to unlock your creative soul to foul-mouthed tough…
More Bad Writing Advice
OnWe debunk more Bad Writing Advice: the virtues of head hopping, the problem with MICE, and why not to let a robot say if your prose is vivid.
I Dream of Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
OnWhen the pursuit of comfort takes over your entire life, and your entire worldview, your art suffers, and maybe society does too. In this episode, we’re talking about why speculative fiction shouldn’t get too comfortable.
Sci-fi and Fantasy for Peasants — Transcript
OnThe transcript of our recent episode with Qualia Redux about poverty in science fiction and fantasy stories.
Bad Writing Advice
OnThere are many writing advice columns that won’t help you write good—that will actually encourage you to write bad, or at best mediocre.
Who Are You Talking To?
OnSci-fi/fantasy author Karlo Yeager Rodríguez joins us to talk about the relationship between storyteller and in-universe audience.
Writing the Body: Avoiding Characters Who Are Brains-In-Jars (Unless That’s Your Whole Thing)
OnIn this episode, writer and stuntwoman SL Huang joins us to talk about writing that fully explores the physicality of its characters.
No More Heroes with JR Dawson
OnMuch of speculative literature focuses on superheroes and Chosen Ones. But what about ordinary people or flawed people who don’t save the world? Do they matter?