Why Is This Good?

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In this episode, we discuss “Work” by Denis Johnson. What can we learn from this story with a strong voice? How does the narrator shape the way we understand and experience the story? How does detachment play a part in the emotions of the story? How are connections and analogies drawn to help develop the feelings of important moments? How does the linear nature of prose writing dictate how we guide the reader through this kind of connective narrative? How can we create the right voice for our own stories?

Interested in our novel mentorship program or have any other questions? Email us at napleswritersworkshop@gmail.com

If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast

You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com

In this episode, we discuss “Roy Spivey” by Miranda July. What can we learn from this delightful story of quirky characters? How can taking a character’s emotions to an absurd degree help get to the root of what it means to be human? How can we root a story in a truth about human experience?

Interested in our novel mentorship program or have any other questions? Email us at napleswritersworkshop@gmail.com

If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast

You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com

In this episode, we discuss “A Small Good Thing” by Raymond Carver. What can we learn from this masterful short story? How does a writer deliberately make a reader like or dislike a character? Can we deepen a character without exploring the character’s past? How does fiction employ empathy? How can we depict a character’s emotions by showing them in action?

Interested in our novel mentorship program or have any other questions? Email us at napleswritersworkshop@gmail.com

If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast

You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com

In this episode, we discuss “2BR02B” by Kurt Vonnegut. What can we learn from this piece of speculative fiction? How can we build an alternate, speculative world so quickly? How do characters who live in a world help reveal that world? How does choosing just the right set of characters help develop a story’s dynamics to their full potential? How can exaggeration help depict characters?

Interested in our novel mentorship program or have any other questions? Email us at napleswritersworkshop@gmail.com

If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast

You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com

In this episode, we discuss “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty. What can we learn from this story where nothing happens? What is the plot? Is it a character portrait? How can we decide where a story begins and how much of it to tell?