Writing Excuses

20.43: An Interview with Dr. Tara Lepore on Paleontology


Listen Later

Erin and Howard sat down with paleontologist Dr. Tara Lepore for a fascinating dive into the science—and storytelling potential—of deep time. Dr. Lepore explains why paleontology is about far more than dinosaurs and how mammal teeth can reveal “birth certificates” millions of years old. We hope you come away with new ways to think about science as story—and how to weave the vastness of deep time into your own worlds.

Thing of the Week: University of California Museum of Paleontology 

Homework: Find 3 ways that deep time could be interwoven into your current or upcoming writing project. 

Call for Writing Breakthroughs

Have you had a breakthrough in your writing because of Writing Excuses? If so, we want to hear about it. Fill out this Writing Breakthroughs Google Form for a chance to be featured in a WX Newsletter! 

Last Annual Cruise

The final WXR cruise sets sail for Alaska in September 2026—don’t miss your chance to be part of it. Learn more and sign up here.

Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Dan Wells, Erin Roberts, and Howard Tayler. Our guest was Dr. Tara Lepore. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.

Join Our Writing Community! 

Writing Retreats

Newsletter

Patreon

Instagram

Threads

Bluesky

TikTok

YouTube

Facebook




Our Sponsors:
* Check out MasterClass and use my code masterclass.com/EXCUSES for a great deal: https://MasterClass.com
* Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/WX for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com


Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Writing ExcusesBy Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

1,281 ratings


More shows like Writing Excuses

View all
The Allusionist by Helen Zaltzman

The Allusionist

3,019 Listeners

Helping Writers Become Authors by K.M. Weiland

Helping Writers Become Authors

1,006 Listeners

Dear Hank & John by Complexly

Dear Hank & John

7,790 Listeners

No Such Thing As A Fish by No Such Thing As A Fish

No Such Thing As A Fish

4,870 Listeners

The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers by Joanna Penn

The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

629 Listeners

Imaginary Worlds by Eric Molinsky | Daylight Media

Imaginary Worlds

1,995 Listeners

The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience by Kelton Reid

The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience

225 Listeners

Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice by Savannah Gilbo

Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice

1,489 Listeners

Maintenance Phase by Aubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes

Maintenance Phase

16,913 Listeners

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing by Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

790 Listeners

Depresh Mode with John Moe by John Moe, Maximum Fun

Depresh Mode with John Moe

828 Listeners

Intentionally Blank by Brandon Sanderson & Dan Wells

Intentionally Blank

522 Listeners

Essential Guide to Writing a Novel by James Thayer

Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

428 Listeners

Classical Music Happy Hour by WNYC, WQXR

Classical Music Happy Hour

239 Listeners

Zero to Well-Read by Book Riot

Zero to Well-Read

596 Listeners