Episodes

  • OODA Loops for Editing

    OODA Loops for Editing
    Jun 18 2026
    The article discusses the challenges writers face during revisions and emphasizes that the issue often lies not in writing skills but in a missing cognitive step, termed "Orient." It introduces the OODA loop model (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) to enhance revision efficiency, advocating for writers to articulate a passage's purpose before making changes to ensure structural integrity.
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    13 mins
  • In Defense of the Adverb

    In Defense of the Adverb
    Jun 11 2026
    The prohibition against adverbs, rooted in a specific writing concern, has become an overly broad rule harming prose quality. While some adverbs can dilute writing, others provide essential emotional and temporal nuance. Writers should evaluate adverbs carefully, identifying their function rather than deleting them indiscriminately to maintain narrative precision and voice.
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    10 mins
  • Naming as Theme

    Naming as Theme
    Jun 4 2026
    The discussion focuses on the significance of naming in storytelling, highlighting how names contribute to thematic depth. Through examples from Ursula K. Le Guin, Cormac McCarthy, and Kazuo Ishiguro, the text illustrates that names carry arguments about identity and relationships, impacting the narrative's emotional resonance. Writers are encouraged to scrutinize their naming choices.
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    9 mins
  • Earning the Proposal

    Earning the Proposal
    May 28 2026
    Romance writers face the challenge of crafting significant moments like proposals, especially when outcomes are predictable. The excerpt from "Another Past" illustrates this through Paul’s proposal to Jeryl, emphasizing the importance of context and emotional groundwork. The scene underscores that romantic milestones often reveal deeper character decisions and commitments.
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    10 mins
  • When the Bullets Are Real

    When the Bullets Are Real
    May 21 2026
    This episode looks at what real encounters with sudden violence looks like in a narrative. Action sequences can be critical, but how POV characters react is seldom the typical Hollywood reaction.
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    9 mins
  • Why We All Like Story — What Fiction Does That Nothing Else Can

    Why We All Like Story — What Fiction Does That Nothing Else Can
    Apr 30 2026
    The essay reflects on the transformative power of reading, particularly the emotional depth and understanding gained through fictional experiences. It emphasizes how stories expand consciousness by allowing readers to inhabit other perspectives and fully feel emotions. Writing serves as a means for authors to clarify their thoughts, creating a bond of recognition between reader and writer.
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    9 mins
  • When Time Breaks: Tracking Story Timelines and What They Actually Do to a StorySignal Zero – Audio Story

    When Time Breaks: Tracking Story Timelines and What They Actually Do to a StorySignal Zero – Audio Story
    Apr 23 2026
    The author reflects on the complexities of managing story timelines, using mathematical principles for world-building in the Technomancer series. The deliberate use of π days creates narrative challenges, enhancing stakes and reader engagement. He emphasizes that understanding time in storytelling goes beyond mechanics; it shapes character experiences and emotional depth in the narrative.
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    8 mins
  • Signal Zero – Audio Story

    Signal Zero – Audio Story
    Apr 16 2026
    Signal Zero, the first story in An Author's Voice narrated series, follows Sergeant Voss, who guards an archaeological site on a frontier world. After eleven weeks, the team discovers an alien system that addresses humanity directly, questioning their identity. Voss is left uncertain about the system's claims, driving the narrative.
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    16 mins