Browse by subject
Every episode of Inside Creative Writing, grouped by what it is about. Jump to a subject, or read the archive in order.
Conversations with writers
Interviews with novelists, teachers and editors about how they actually work.
- Episode 650:51
The Tenets of Fiction Writing, with Alan Heathcock
This episode features an in-depth interview with author Alan Heathcock, who discusses his experiences and insights on fiction writing, particularly focusing on his '27 Tenets of Fiction Writing.' Heathcock shares practical advice on character development, setting, and the importance of understanding profound truths in storytelling.
- Episode 848:31
Recognizing and Writing Glimmers, with Pam Houston
This episode features an interview with author Pam Houston, who discusses her writing process, particularly her concept of 'glimmers'—moments that capture her attention and fuel her writing. Houston explains how these glimmers inform her narratives and how writers can use them to enhance their own work, regardless of genre.
- Episode 1036:59
The Snowflake Method of Novel Design, with Randy Ingermanson
This episode features an in-depth discussion with Randy Ingermanson about the Snowflake Method of novel design, a structured approach to writing that helps authors develop their stories from a simple premise to a detailed outline. Ingermanson explains the method's steps and its effectiveness in creating compelling narratives while also addressing common misconceptions about writing formulas.
- Episode 426:37
Why Grammar Matters in Fiction, with Jenny Baranick
This episode explores the importance of grammar in creative writing, featuring Jenny Buranek, an author and grammar expert. The discussion highlights how understanding grammar can enhance a writer's creativity and clarity, making it a valuable tool rather than a hindrance.
- Episode 2124:33
Science Fiction with Gareth L. Powell
This episode features an interview with science fiction writer Gareth L. Powell, who discusses his journey as a writer and his latest book, 'Embers of War'. Powell shares insights about the science fiction genre, the importance of character relatability, and the challenges of being a full-time author today.
- Episode 2335:47
How to Write Great Fiction, with Barlow Adams
This episode features a conversation with writer Barlow Adams, who shares insights on crafting microfiction and longer works. He discusses the importance of concision, the balance between revealing and withholding information, and the emotional resonance of writing.
- Episode 3337:11
Insights from an Aspiring Writer, with Guest Host Jesse Hawley
This episode features guest host Jesse Hawley, who shares his journey as a new writer and the lessons he has learned over the past two years. He discusses the importance of self-awareness in writing, identifying weaknesses, and the balance between seeking inspiration and the discipline of writing.
Story structure
Shaping a story: inciting incidents, scene design, genre, conflict, and working out what a book is really about.
- Episode 1329:40
Story Structure and the Inciting Incident
This episode focuses on the importance of structure in storytelling, particularly the role of the inciting event, which propels characters into action and shapes the narrative. Brad Reed uses the analogy of claymation figures to illustrate how a solid structure underpins a story, allowing for character consistency and movement.
- Episode 1412:01
The "Somebody Wanted But So" Technique
This episode introduces the 'Somebody Wanted But So' plotting technique, which helps writers clarify their characters' motivations and the conflicts they face. Brad Reed explains how this method can enhance storytelling by ensuring characters have clear desires and obstacles, ultimately leading to more engaging narratives.
- Episode 1736:34
How to Match Your Story to Your Genre
This episode discusses how to determine the best format for your story idea, whether it be a novel, screenplay, or short story. Brad Reed uses examples from literature and film to illustrate how different genres suit different types of narratives and character development.
- Episode 2435:14
How to Find What Your Story Is Really About: the SNBS Method
This episode explores the SWABIS and SNUBIS techniques, which help writers clarify their stories by identifying what characters want and need. Brad Reed explains how these frameworks can enhance both overall story structure and individual scenes, ensuring that every element contributes to character development and conflict.
- Episode 2630:47
How to Write Strong Opening and Closing Scenes
This episode focuses on writing effective beginning and ending scenes that serve as meaningful bookends for stories. Brad Reed discusses the importance of these scenes in showcasing character change and offers examples from films to illustrate how they can resonate with each other.
- Episode 3428:28
How and Why to Get Every Scene Brimming with Conflict
This episode focuses on the essential role of conflict in storytelling, explaining how it drives character development and keeps readers engaged. Brad Reed discusses both major and subtle forms of conflict, providing examples and practical advice for writers to enhance tension in their narratives.
Style and language
Sentence-level craft: description, adverbs, rhetorical devices, the senses, and what the masters do differently.
- Episode 539:39
Mise-en-scène: A Film Technique That Can Improve Your Writing
This episode explores the concept of mise en scène, a filmmaking technique that can enhance writing by making every element in a scene intentional and meaningful. Brad Reed discusses how to apply this concept to writing, focusing on aspects like composition, setting, props, costumes, and lighting to deepen theme and character development.
- Episode 939:54
Defamiliarization: How to Make the Ordinary Feel Strange
This episode focuses on the concept of defamiliarization in creative writing, which helps writers present familiar subjects in new and engaging ways. Brad Reed discusses various levels of defamiliarization and provides practical techniques for writers to awaken readers' perceptions and enhance their storytelling.
- Episode 1135:00
Should You Use Adverbs in Fiction?
This episode explores the role of adverbs in writing, discussing their potential benefits and pitfalls. Brad Reed argues against the blanket advice to avoid adverbs, suggesting that they can enhance writing when used thoughtfully, while also emphasising the importance of strong verbs.
- Episode 1538:34
What Cormac McCarthy Can Teach You About Writing
This episode focuses on four specific writing techniques used by Cormac McCarthy that can enhance a writer's craft. Brad Reed discusses McCarthy's unique approaches to punctuation, word choice, dialogue, and creating mysteries within a narrative, providing concrete examples and actionable advice for writers.
- Episode 1831:51
Why You Should Care About Rhetorical Devices
This episode focuses on rhetorical devices and their importance in creative writing. Brad Reed explains how techniques like repetition and polysyndeton can enhance storytelling by making writing more persuasive and engaging for readers.
- Episode 3529:48
How to Make Your Reader Feel What You Want Them to Feel, Using the 5 Senses
This episode focuses on how to evoke emotions in readers by writing from the senses rather than relying solely on dialogue or plot. Brad Reed discusses practical techniques for writers to enhance their descriptive writing, encouraging them to immerse readers in sensory details that convey deeper emotional experiences.
Character and dialogue
Making people on the page feel real, and getting them to speak like it.
- Episode 236:30
How to Make Your Characters Feel Real
This episode explores the concept of verisimilitude in writing, focusing on how to create characters that feel alive and real to readers. Brad Reed discusses various pitfalls that can undermine this illusion, offering practical advice on maintaining character consistency and believability throughout a story.
- Episode 1230:15
How to Write Dialogue That Sounds Real
This episode focuses on the intricacies of writing dialogue, exploring how it serves as an action rather than just a means of communication between characters. Brad Reed shares insights gained from a screenwriting class, emphasising the importance of character agendas and techniques to create more engaging and authentic dialogue.
- Episode 2739:10
One Great Technique for Writing Subtext: The Third Thing
This episode focuses on the importance of subtext in writing, particularly in dialogue. Brad Reed introduces a technique called 'the third thing,' which encourages writers to have characters discuss something other than their true feelings to create deeper meaning and engagement in their stories.
- Episode 3625:47
How to Write Better Dialogue by Not Writing Dialogue
This episode focuses on improving dialogue writing by encouraging writers to explore scenes without using any dialogue. Brad Reed discusses a technique called 'Dialogue Without Words,' which emphasises body language and setting to convey conflict and emotion.
Theme and meaning
What a story argues, and how belief and bias shape the way readers receive it.
- Episode 2942:27
What Is Theme, and How Can We Use It to Engage Our Readers?
This episode focuses on the concept of theme in fiction writing, clarifying its distinction from topics and explaining how to effectively incorporate it into stories. Brad Reed provides actionable strategies for identifying and developing themes that resonate with readers, ensuring that they are woven subtly into the narrative.
- Episode 3033:00
Everything Is an Argument, and How Knowing That Will Make You a Better Writer
This episode discusses the concept that everything in our world can be viewed as an argument, influencing how we perceive characters and settings in writing. Brad Reed explores how understanding this perspective can enhance storytelling by encouraging writers to use intentional details that reflect characters' intentions and conflicts.
- Episode 3148:50
What Is Confirmation Bias, and How Can We Use It to Our Advantage as Writers?
This episode delves into the concept of confirmation bias and its implications for writers, particularly in how first impressions can shape readers' perceptions of their work. Brad Reed discusses practical strategies for leveraging this bias to create positive initial impressions with readers, agents, and publishers.
The writing life
Fear, blocks, attention and priorities: the parts of writing that happen before any words do.
- Episode 2040:58
5 Reasons Writers Should Practice Mindfulness Meditation
This episode explores mindfulness meditation and its benefits for writers. Brad Reed discusses how mindfulness can enhance creativity, improve focus, and help writers notice details that enrich their writing.
- Episode 2227:01
You're Not a Perfectionist, You're Afraid
This episode delves into the concept of perfectionism in writing, exploring its roots in fear and how it can hinder creativity. Brad Reed shares personal experiences and offers insights on overcoming perfectionism by reframing it as a fear of failure, encouraging writers to embrace their imperfections.
- Episode 2534:14
How to Prioritize Your Life for Writing
This episode focuses on how writers can effectively prioritise their time to make room for their craft amidst life's many demands. Brad Reed shares a transformative approach to time management that involves identifying and committing to a few key passions while letting go of distractions.
- Episode 2834:02
How to Deal with Writer's Block, and Does It Really Exist?
This episode delves into the concept of writer's block, challenging its existence and suggesting that it may often be a form of procrastination. Brad Reed offers practical techniques to overcome writing stagnation, encouraging writers to shift their perspectives and take action to reignite their creativity.
- Episode 3711:02
How to Deal with Resistance, and Our Podcast Farewell
This episode discusses the concept of resistance in writing, highlighting how it can masquerade as productivity, such as spending time on social media or consuming writing advice. Brad Reed reflects on his decision to discontinue the podcast, emphasising the need to prioritise actual writing over distractions that appear beneficial.
Ideas, drafting and revision
Where stories come from, and what to do with a draft once you have one.
- Episode 331:52
How to Come Up With Story Ideas When You're Stuck
This episode explores creative techniques to enhance character, plot, and setting development in writing. Brad Reed discusses two specific methods from a business creativity book that can help writers generate unique ideas and perspectives.
- Episode 1628:25
Why Writing Is Like Sculpting: Drafting and Revision
This episode uses the metaphor of sculpting to explore the writing process, comparing the stages of creating a novel to the steps a sculptor takes to shape a statue. Brad Reed emphasises the importance of both initial creation and detailed revision, highlighting how writers can refine their work to achieve a polished final product.
- Episode 1933:57
How to Find Your Next Killer Story Idea
This episode explores the origins of story ideas and how to transform them into compelling narratives. Brad Reed discusses the importance of framing ideas as 'what-if' questions and provides examples from well-known literature to illustrate how these questions can shape characters and plots.
Reaching your reader
How readers participate in a story, and how to give them a role to play in it.
- Episode 127:41
How to Pull Readers Into Your Story: Fictionalizing Your Audience
This episode explores how writers can engage their readers by allowing them to take an active role in the narrative. Brad Reed discusses the limitations of traditional and expressivist writing approaches and introduces techniques to help readers fictionalize themselves within the story. The focus is on using frame stories, limited description, and unexplained terminology to draw readers into the narrative.
- Episode 735:00
How to Use Loose Ends and Unreliable Narrators
This episode revisits key concepts from previous episodes, focusing on unreliable narrators and how they can enhance character development and reader engagement. Brad Reed also addresses listener questions about writing techniques and the importance of perspective in writing advice.
The show itself
The prologue, a listener Q&A, and the episode that reopened the show.
- Prologue17:21
Prologue to the Podcast
This episode serves as an introduction to the podcast, where host Brad Reed shares his passion for writing and his approach to discussing craft and technique. He reflects on his journey as a writer and educator, setting the stage for future episodes that will include guest insights and listener contributions.
- Episode 3236:13
Listener Questions on Craft: A Q&A Episode
This episode features a Q&A session where Brad Reed answers listener questions about various aspects of writing, including how to create vivid descriptions, choose effective titles, and name characters. He shares practical tips and techniques that writers can apply to enhance their craft.
- Episode 3842:04
Should I Use AI to Write My Novel?
This episode explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in creative writing, discussing its potential benefits and pitfalls for writers. Brad Reed shares insights on how AI can assist with brainstorming and organisation while cautioning against over-reliance on it for originality and emotional depth in storytelling.