In the first of our series on genres, we discuss why people write Sci-Fi, what you need to know to write Sci-Fi, and how much we all love unicorns.

Writing Excuses Episode 8: Sci-Fi Genre [ 13:57 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (17368)

If you’re new to Writing Excuses, or if you’re just curious about some of the terminology we use, let us break it down for you. These are the rules/tricks that we use to keep ourselves on task.

Writing Excuses Bonus Episode 2: Rules of Writing Excuses [ 3:03 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (12119)

Are flaws necessary for villains? What traits make for a really good (err… evil?) villain? What’s the difference between Sauron and Gollum? (“That’s the LAST time I send you out shopping for Gollums, son…”)

Liner Notes: The Evil Overlord List, a handy reference for tropes to avoid (or, as the case may be, exploit…)

Writing Excuses Episode 7: Villains [ 14:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (18269)

They say it takes one person to ruin it for the rest of us and in this case it’s cheap pharmaceuticals to blame, we’ve been getting too much spam lately so I’m turning back on comment moderation.

If you’ve already got a comment on the site you should hopefully have your comments auto-published, I’m not sure how this works but it probably helps to have your e-mail and website in the form.

For the rest of you please bear with us. Even those of us WITHOUT real jobs (Brandon and Howard, represent!) are quite busy, which means that comment approval will probably come in bulk once or twice a day.

Is there a difference between the two?  How do you use each appropriately in your writing?  And how lovable can a group of mercenaries be?

Writing Excuses Episode 6: Flaws vs Handicaps [ 16:19 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (18629)

What makes a good hero? Why is Dirk Pitt so cool? Why do people like Superman? And why does Howard-with-a-chest-cold start to sound like Barry White? Some of these questions are answered in this episode while others are better left unexplained.

LINER NOTES:

Howard repeatedly invoked John August’s blog post about heroes, protagonists, and main characters. Here it is.

Writing Excuses Episode 5: Heroes and Protagonists [ 15:45 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (20358)

Brandon, Howard and Dan talk about their first exposure to RPG games, Gary Gygax and the influence he had on them and the industry.

Writing Excuses Bonus Episode 1: Gary Gygax [ 7:30 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (9933)

The first line of any story is the most important.

People get drawn in to a book because of the first line.

Brandon, Howard and Dan talk about how to start a book and what’s important about the first line.

Writing Excuses Episode 4: Beginnings [ 15:25 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (21752)