Start Writing

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 published and how close she was to giving up! She also tells a touching story of how one of her books literally changed the life of one of her readers.  I know many of you are listening to learn about the writing craft. Gail teaches us about what it’s like to be a writer, and she shocked me when she said how many pages she usually cuts from a manuscript. She tells a funny story about why historical research has become a passion. And we also discuss two topics of personal interest: Greek Mythology and Peter Pan.

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 thing or two about the genre in this episode.   Let me point out a couple of things to look for in our show today.    First, at one point Kevin says, “I don’t believe in criticism.” I find it interesting that this is a theme I’ve heard from several authors on this podcast. It’s certainly something to think about.    Second, it’s cool how I came across Kevin’s work, and I tell the full story in the episode, but the short version is that the same narrator performs his CREATION’S BANE series and my STARCHILD series

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 characters, great descriptions, and a thoughtful, smart story. It was also fun to go on a new adventure with some of my favorite characters, including Jim Raynor and Tychus Findlay—as they’re getting their start as Space Marines.   So I reached out to Mr Dietz, and we discussed a couple of interesting insights for aspiring authors. The first centers around writing in other “IPs.” IP stands for intellectual property, and in this context, that means a world and its characters. Bill Dietz has written in a lot of

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 researching historical fiction. Drawing on family history and personal experience in your novel. Picking your protagonist's gender. How to deal with heavy themes. How to write on the side, after work.    B.C. WALKER LINKS:    Buy B.C. Walker’s The Meadowlark: https://amzn.to/3B7DvkQ  Brett’s site: https://bcwalker.com/  Brett’s essays: https://bcwalker.com/insights    * * *   If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestartwriting@gmail.com    Support us on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/StartWritingPodcast 

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 voice innate? The six-year struggle to bring a New York Times bestseller to life. What it’s like to co-author, and what to consider before you start. The “literary side” of writing a non-fiction treatise. How to add character arcs and emotion to a book ostensibly about facts. What should a writer do to stay healthy?    BILL GIFFORD LINKS:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/billgifford  INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/billgifford/?hl=en  OUTLIVE: https://amzn.to/46Y42zK  SPRING CHICKEN: https://amzn.to

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 Grail Diary.  It promised everlasting life, but because it was stolen, the little boy didn’t dare tell his older brother—his mentor—what he’d done.  In 2020, thirty years later, that older brother passed away. Stealing Indiana Jones is the true story of these two boys and how they discover a monstrous secret: that George Lucas stole his ideas for both Star Wars and Indiana Jones. As they struggle to make sense of what this horrifying truth means for all of us fans, they find redemption along the way. Their sto

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 talk about the 6 original Indiana Jones novels that he wrote at a breakneck speed, 4 months apiece.  He tells a funny story about how two Indiana Jones fans were pestering him with mail!  We discuss how he had an influence on the creation of the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles but never got credit.  He tells us how George Lucas sent instructions on what Rob was allowed to write in the Indiana Jones universe. He had to fight Disney to get his due royalties once Lucasfilm was sold to them.  Indiana Jones has a vi

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, including The Philosopher’s Stone, The Dinosaur Eggs, The Hollow Earth, and The Secret of the Sphinx! He is also the author of numerous westerns, including the Ophelia Wylde fantasy/mystery series.   MAX McCOY LINKS:  Amazon: https://amzn.to/3KYfFNW  Twitter: https://twitter.com/authormaxmccoy  Website: http://www.maxmccoy.com  News Articles: https://kansasreflector.com/author/max-mccoy  Professor: https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1086091 * * *   If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestartwriting

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.com/Joseph-Bendoski/e/B06XX7LYKL   J WASHBURN: http://library.jwashburn.com    * * *   REFERENCES:  https://www.shutupwrite.com  https://shutupwrite.com/prompts https://shutupwrite.com/challenges/free-association-challenge   Milford Writing Workshop Rules Pale Angel by Rennie Saunders Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany  Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth by Buckminster Fuller

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 not have perfect copyediting. The different levels of editing are CONTENT, CHAPTER, and COPY editing. J believes content editing is by far the most important. His ideal writing group is one that trades full-length manuscripts, not chapters. You can sign up to be a J Washburn beta reader at http://betareader.jwashburn.com. Give your readers just two instructions: Let me know what you think and feel as you go, and I’ll call you when you finish. J gives his copy editors direct access to the manuscript. All early readers a

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 examination of book edits (The DaVinci Code adapted for Young Adults and the Anatomy of Peace 4th edition) to see what the pros change. Editing is a careful balance between being too clear and too obscure—go too far either direction and you’ll lose readers. Finally, you should make your book perfect before sending it for other to see (as we’ll talk about in the next episode).    * * *   If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestartwriting@gmail.com    * * *    Buy our books!   JOSEPH BENDOSKI: https://www.amazon.co

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 tips, which are (1) get a good editor, (2) start with the smallest plottable story chunk, and (3) keep the plot personal (not epic).    If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestartwriting@gmail.com   * * *    Buy our books!   JOSEPH BENDOSKI: https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Bendoski/e/B06XX7LYKL   J WASHBURN: http://library.jwashburn.com/

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 plotting. And finally, I reveal the behind-the-scenes story of the ECKSDOT finale!    If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestartwriting@gmail.com   * * *    Buy our books!   JOSEPH BENDOSKI: https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Bendoski/e/B06XX7LYKL   J WASHBURN: http://library.jwashburn.com/

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 plot? - Is it faster to just skip outlining and just start writing?  - What models can I structure my plot around?  - What’s the absolute simplest way to think of plot?    If you have questions, EMAIL US: pleasestartwriting@gmail.com   * * *    Buy our books!   JOSEPH BENDOSKI: https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Bendoski/e/B06XX7LYKL   J WASHBURN: http://library.jwashburn.com/

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_ultimate_spell_sword_class/GETTING STARTED IN D&Dhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkVdb9Yr8fc05_VbAVfskCA

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 writing tips on the Odyssey Workshop Blog: https://odysseyworkshop.wordpress.com/ Listen to the Odyssey Workshop Podcast: https://www.odysseyworkshop.org/resources/podcasts/   [NOTE FROM J: Sorry for the audio quality in this episode. That's my mistake. But I'm absolutely delighted to have had this conversation with Jeanne. And my thanks to you for listening!]

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 hero wants. These villains are not bad by nature, but they provide antagonism in a competitive, zero-sum game. http://www.jwashburn.com J Washburn is the author of STARCHILD, an epic space opera about a rogue pilot in a galactic revolution.

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, INITIATIVE, and SPIRIT. Don’t make your hero too abnormal.    NEEDS WASHED: http://archive.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2007/11/11/lawn_needs_cut/ HOMEWORK: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IYvaxzh7cfys4LP6CJZqje1wspxuNy5U-970mH7EvMY/

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

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