AmericanWriters.com Podcast -- Show Blog

Writing 009 -- Characters of Tragedy & Redemption

2007-07-30T14:11:00.000-04:00

This episode explores Tragedy and Redemption tales. It's purely an introduction; there is so much more we can talk about.

I take a look at some classic stories like Macbeth, Les Miserables and A Christmas Carol. They really stand up to time not merely as stories but as models of their respective genres.

Enjoy. And please -- comment.

Listen: Characters of Tragedy & Redemption

Regards,
Tom

Writing 008 -- Writing Historical Fiction: Part 2

2007-04-18T21:28:00.000-04:00

In this episode, we continue our discussion on how to write Historical Fiction. This show is broken down into three parts and we analyze the works of James Michener, Umberto Eco and Anne Rice.

The show is broken down to three parts:

I. The Time and Place of the Narrator
II. The World Beyond the Character
III. The Character and His Immediate World

Listen: Writing Historical Fiction -- Part 2 (Writing 008)

Writing 007 -- Writing Historical Fiction

2007-02-01T17:59:00.000-05:00

This episode has gotten some responses, both positive and negative. (Though constructive criticism is always good.)

Some people felt I was correct to call for as much historical accuracy as possible when writing historical fiction. (I certainly don't think the historical novelist should be sloppy about things.)

Other people felt that adherence to history can get in the way of storytelling.

Both are true. Both have a legitimate case.

Good storytelling might require bad history. But bad history is nothing to be proud of.

Good history doesn't guarantee good storytelling. And bad storytelling is nothing to be proud of.

I just prefer the best of both worlds.

Regards,
Tom

Writing 006 -- Listener Letters

2006-10-30T07:50:00.000-05:00

Well, I felt it was time, and here it is -- the first show devoted to listener letters. I address podcasting questions and writing questions alike. The strongest emphasis is on the matter of how I approach my novel: do I outline the story or develop it as I write?

Bear in mind that my approach to things reflects my personal style and it might not work for you. But the question came up enough in email and I thought it worthwhile to address in this show. At the very least, it will provide greater context for our future discussions.

My suggestion for this blog post -- answer this: how do you approach writing? Do you establish an outline in advance or do you simply write as you write? Do you write your story in sequence or do you move back and forth between different parts of your story?

I'd really like to see the various approaches.

Regards,
Tom

Writing 005 -- Thoughts about Setting

2006-09-14T09:48:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note about this show. . .

I intended to get into a discussion about how the definitions of "protagonist" and "antihero" are less than firm in literary theory. Based upon various literary traditions and different schools of thought, the definitions vary more than this show acknowledges. I will address this issue not here in this blog, but in Writing 006, which will be devoted to listener email and miscellany.

Stay tuned.

Regards,
Tom

Writing 004 -- The Shadow in the Hero

2006-09-04T03:43:00.000-04:00

This one was fun to do, but I can't help but bang my head against the wall. There are just so many other dimensions of this topic that I could have gone into; there are so many literary and cinematic examples of the things I did discuss.

I'm also aware that I ended the discussion rather quickly. An oversight in editing. Sorry. But there will be plenty of informal follow-up in future shows.

If you can think of other examples of the Shadow archetype, post them here. Think of the books that you have read and the movies you have seen. Trust me. Examples are all over the place.

Writing 003 -- How to Write Dialogue

2006-08-14T06:11:00.000-04:00

Shh -- don't tell Donna Flarkmore about this episode (not that it's her real name).

What are your thoughts about the rules, the whole dialogue attribution thing and my take on meaningless dialogue?

What other dialogue issues would you like to see me discuss in some future show?

And was I cruel to the memory of Donna Flarkmore? (Not that she's dead, or anything.)

Writing 002 -- How to Open Your Story: Part Two

2006-08-10T09:12:00.000-04:00

I conclude the discussion that began in the last show, examining here, how to open a story with action and dialogue, respectively.

You will notice something unexpected about action sequences, which we discuss after I read a sample of writing. After that, I provide two dialogue sequences -- one that works as a passage unto itself but not necessarily as a story opening, and one that works as an opening.

Give a listen and gimme your thoughts!

Regards,
Tom

Writing 002 -- How to Open Your Story: Part One

2006-08-10T09:08:00.000-04:00

I had a little bit too much fun with this one, perhaps. I set out to show you three different ways of opening your story -- one with description, one with action and one with dialogue. The section on Description went longer than I expected (but it's still interesting!), so I decided to follow this episode up with a Part Two.

Tell me what you thought of the show as well as my writing sample.

Regards,
Tom

Writing 001 -- Show Introduction and Preview

2006-08-10T08:49:00.000-04:00

The title of this episode says it all. The discussion is meant to let you know who I am and spring into some of my basic views on the writing process.

Please post your impressions of the show.

Regards,
Tom

Welcome

2006-08-10T08:39:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Blog at AmericanWriters.com, which is centered around the Podcast.

I might blog in-between shows, but the nature of this blog is not generally to find out what's going on in my life. What kind of fun is that?

Rather, the blog is intended to offer you a chance to respond to each of the shows. When I publish a new show, I will post some basic reflections, corrections, clarifications, etc. in the form of a new blog entry. Your comments in response to that entry can have something to do with the entry itself -- but the comments are really designed to respond to respective podcast show.

At least that's the theory so far. Capice? (New York Italian for "Yo, you understand?")

Enjoy.

Regards,
Tom Occhipinti