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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 2h

What if a character arc had a structure you could actually map? This week, our hosts break down the DREAM arc: denial, resistance, exploration, acceptance, and manifestation. writingexcuses.com/2...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

SO excited to be partnering with Maurice Broaddus and the Ray Bradbury Center for our 2027 Writing Retreat! Join us in June of 2027 for classes, breakout sessions, 1x1s with instructors and so much more! Head over to our profile to register now!

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Your life is probably weirder—and more useful to your writing—than you think. This week, our hosts explore how to turn lived experience into fiction, from borrowing sensory details and emotional reactions to reshaping real people and events. writingexcuses.com/2...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

On Episode 38, we’re celebrating Erin’s birthday by talking about a topic of her choice. Which means we’re flipping “tools, not rules” its head. writingexcuses.com/2...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Join us tomorrow, on September 22nd, for a Q&A with Mary Robinette Kowal on Zoom via our Patreon. Free trial available for our Q&A tier!

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

SAVE THE DATES! Join our newsletter to be notified when tickets go on sale for Writing Excuses 2027 Workshop & Retreat in collaboration with Maurice Broaddus & The Ray Bradbury Center in Indianapolis! writingexcuses.com/r...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Writing Excuses is going to Worldcon again! AND we're having a party! Head to the link below for all our events, the panels the hosts will be on and a sign up link to stay in the know about our official con suite party. writingexcuses.com/w...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

How close is your reader to the story? Should they be closer? Today, our hosts get nerdy about narrative distance: the space between reader, narrator, character, and world. We talk POV, sensory detail, and familiarity—and how each can zoom a reader in or pull them back. writingexcuses.com/2...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

A story doesn’t always need the same tools from beginning to end. In this episode, we talk about recognizing when it’s time to shift gears—and how to make those changes feel intentional rather than abrupt. writingexcuses.com/2...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

There never seems to be enough time to write—but is time really the problem? Our hosts explore the reality of working within limited hours, changing life circumstances, and competing priorities. writingexcuses.com/2...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Today we are joined by guest Margaret Dunlap as we attempt to answer: why Save the Cat is such an influential story structure and why so many writers have strong opinions about it. writingexcuses.com/2...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Headed to Gen Con this year? Event Registration is open and there are plenty of opportunities to see the hosts of Writing Excuses! See all of them at once at our Podcast Panel or at Network the Gathering and get some really cool swag.

writingexcuses.com

Writing Excuses at Gen Con | Writing Excuses

We're going to Gen Con and hosting a party! You definitely need to attend Network The Gathering this year, MC'd by Mary Robinette who will also le ...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

A lot of times people want to know what the "ideal length" is for a chapter. Our hosts explore chapters as a pacing tool rather than a fixed unit of length. writingexcuses.com/2...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

What makes a scene feel like a scene? This week, we unpack one of storytelling's most basic building blocks. Our hosts explore where scenes begin and end, how they differ from beats, and why framing and narrative purpose matter more than rigid definitions. writingexcuses.com/2...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

How do you move readers from one scene to the next without losing momentum? Our hosts dig into different types of transitions—from scene breaks and interruptions to brief “through scenes” that bridge time and space. Listen on your favorite podcast app or head over to writingexcuses.com/2...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

How can exposition be used as a pacing tool, and not just a way to convey information? We attempt to answer this question on today’s episode! Listen on your favorite podcast app or head over to writingexcuses.com/2...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Our hosts explore the many tools writers can use to control pacing. We discuss how cadence, transitions, tone, sentence structure, and white space can all speed up or slow down a reader’s experience. Listen on your favorite podcast app or head over to writingexcuses.com/2...

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Howard Tayler @howardtayler.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

I'm recording episodes of @writingexcuses.bsky.social this week. It's exhilarating, and it's exhausting.

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

In this episode we explore how writers control their readers’ attention with the metaphor of a bouncing ball. We break down techniques for guiding focus on the page, including POV choice, selective description, rhythm, and where details appear within sentences and paragraphs. writingexcuses.com/2...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Our latest episode is breaking down the 7-Point Plot Structure and we were joined by Dan Wells to deconstruct it. Head over to your favorite podcast app or our website to listen to the full episode. writingexcuses.com/2...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

New episode just dropped! Let's deconstruct the 7-point plot structure together and see how the hosts learned something new. writingexcuses.com/c...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

writingexcuses.com

Writing Excuses at Gen Con | Writing Excuses

We're going to Gen Con and hosting a party! You definitely need to attend Network The Gathering this year, MC'd by Mary Robinette who will also le ...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

In this episode, our hosts explore one of the most persistent barriers to writing: interruptions. They discuss how disruptions can derail creative focus—and how writers can build systems to work with them instead of against them. writingexcuses.com/2...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Our latest episode is all about how to tell non-linear stories and what are the tools you have at your disposal.

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

This week, we are talking about the order in which we present information to the reader as contrasted with the order in which events actually progressed in the universe of this story and why those things might be completely different. writingexcuses.com/2...

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Mary Robinette Kowal @maryrobinettekowal.com · 16/12/2025

To make @writingexcuses.bsky.social retreats accessible for more people, we have two types of scholarships: Out of Excuses (need-based) and Writers of Color. Applications are due on Dec. 31 for the 2026 retreat. I sincerely hope you'll apply to join us: writingexcuses.com/scholarships/

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Howard Tayler @howardtayler.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

I'm about to sit down in front of the mic and remote-record the second half of the @writingexcuses.bsky.social 2025 wrap-up episode. I'm the "anchor host" for this one, so I have an intro script to help me maintain continuity with what we've already recorded. Then I have this:

End of Howard's Intro Script
[Record the rest of the episode. Be brilliant.]

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El @unevendays.northsky.social · 20/12/2025

I've just finished A Memory Called Empire and now I'm excited to listen to @writingexcuses.bsky.social series on it, followed by an In Our Time on Byzantium.

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Our last episode was all about how to pitch your work and how pitching is a skill that you can practice and get better at. SO. Now's your chance! In 3 sentences or less pitch your work to us in the comments or repost!

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Who's coming on our 2026 writing workshop on a cruise to Alaska? We're already hyped up by how fast tickets are selling! Meet the hosts of the podcast plus Sandra Tayler! p.s. If you want a balcony cabin better grab one now before they're gone... www.tickettailor.com/events/writi...

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

Scholarship applications for our 2026 writing retreat on a cruise ship to Alaska are open now until December 31st. Right now we have two scholarships available, one for a writer of color and another for a writer in financial need. Head over to writingexcuses.com/scholarships to learn more.

banner image that says scholarship applications open now for the 2026 writing excuses writing workshop and retreat. With 500 dollars toward travel expenses, a cruise ticket, classes, one on ones, breakout sessions and more. For more details and how to apply head over to our website writingexcuses.com/scholarships

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Howard Tayler @howardtayler.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

The 2026 Writing Excuses Retreat will be held on VOYAGER OF THE SEAS, and we're sailing from Seattle to Alaska and back. Given the name of the ship, I'm considering desiging a t-shirt for us. I've already found the right font...

"WXR Trek: Voyager" presented in a text treatment reminiscent of the title screen for Star Trek: Voyager

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Exciting news! Tickets are on sale NOW for our Writing Retreat on a Cruise Ship! Join @maryrobinettekowal.com @howardtayler.bsky.social @dongwon.bsky.social @nirele.bsky.social & @sandratayler.bsky.social in 2026 in a voyage to Alaska www.tickettailor.com/events/writi...

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DongWon Song @dongwon.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

This week's episode of @writingexcuses.bsky.social is focused on my own personal creative practices. I talk about how being bored is one of the best ways to keep moving forward towards your goals. This was a fun conversation and you can check it out below: redcircle.com/shows/848724...

redcircle.com

20.41: DongWon Song’s Personal Writing Process

Listen to Writing Excuses on RedCircle

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Howard Tayler @howardtayler.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Hey, @writingexcuses.bsky.social ! Look what I found while cleaning my studio!

Two identically designed trophies featuring three stars shooting upward from the base. These are the 2010 and 2012 PARSEC awards, "Best Content Creation" awarded to Writing Excuses.

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Mary Robinette Kowal @maryrobinettekowal.com · 09/08/2025

My Seattle Worldcon schedule now comes with room numbers... all except the Writing Excuses party, which you're all invited to. We will have a book giveaway and lots of fun! Sign up here to be notified when the location is available: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... @writingexcuses.bsky.social

Wednesday, August 13

Panel: And Then I Was Hooked: Space Exploration
10:30 - 11:30 AM
Room 447 - 448

Panel: Muppets, Puppets, and Marionettes
4:30 - 5:30 PM
Room 420-422

Panel: The Second Novel
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Room 443-444

Friday, August 15

Panel: NASA's Unsung Heroes
1:30 - 2:30 PM
Room 447-448

Panel: Alternative Histories of the Space Program
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Room 320

Writing Excuses Live Recording
7:30 - 8:30 PM
Room 420-422

Saturday, August 16

MRK Autograph Session
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Garden Lounge (3F)

MRK Reading from The Martian Contingency
3:00 - 3:30 PM
Room 429

Sunday, August 17

Panel: Animals, AI & Aliens, Oh My! Writing Nonhumans
3:00 - 4:00 PM
Room 420-422

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Join @howardtayler.bsky.social @maryrobinettekowal.com @nirele.bsky.social and @sandratayler.bsky.social for any of the Writing Excuses events at worldcon! For details and the hosts full schedules: writingexcuses.com/writing-excu...

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Mary Robinette Kowal @maryrobinettekowal.com · 04/08/2025

@writingexcuses.bsky.social and I will be busily enjoying panels, parties, and more at @seattlein2025.org. My schedule is here: maryrobinettekowal.com/events/seatt... Reply if you're coming! I'd love to wave hello or see you at one of these events.

maryrobinettekowal.com

Seattle Worldcon 2025

Join Mary Robinette Kowal for multiple events and panels at Seattle Worldcon 2025! Also check out Writing Excuses at Worldcon! August 13th 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: And Then I was Hooked: …

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Mary Robinette Kowal @maryrobinettekowal.com · 28/07/2025

If you've ever wanted to go deeper after listening to a @writingexcuses.bsky.social episode, our Deep Dives are a good opportunity. On Sunday, August 3 at 5 PM ET, I'll join @nirele.bsky.social to explore exposition, description, and context in writing. Join us here: www.patreon.com/c/WritingExc...

patreon.com

a weekly podcast about the art & business of writing

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Writing Excuses @writingexcuses.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

ALSO, don't miss Erin Roberts (@nirele.bsky.social) at @concurrentseattle.bsky.social on Thursday, the 14th at 2:30 PM for a panel on Music and Monsters: A Sinners Panel!

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