AmericanWriters.com -- Creative Writing Podcast.

Society & Culture Arts Education Literature Philosophy Higher Education K-12

What's AmericanWriters.com -- Creative Writing Podcast. about?

The show is designed to help writers of all levels. The focus is on characterization, narrative, plot development, dialogue, conflict, setting, literary archetypes, etc. Episodes are not centered around mindless, useless pep talks and recycled writing tips. Rather, the Podcast at AmericanWriters.com offers in-depth analysis of what works and what doesn't, with explanations and original writing samples.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

AmericanWriters.com -- Creative Writing Podcast. episodes:

03.25.2007
Writing Deus Ex Machina (Not!)
Learn about Deus Ex Machina -- its pros and cons and how it can hurt fiction.
03.06.2007
Motives Beneath Motives
This episode doesn't just talk about what superficially motivates characters; it looks at the forces that need to stir at deeper levels.
03.06.2007
Quick Writing Tip 014 -- Motives Beneath Motives
This episode doesn't just talk about what superficially motivates characters; it looks at the forces that need to stir at deeper levels.
02.04.2007
Writing a Novel Prologue
Many authors are disparaged for using prologues to start their novels -- but is it such a bad practice after all?
12.17.2006
Story, Narrative and What to Include
Trim down your writing; think about what you should include in your narrative and what should you leave out. Also, learn the difference between story and narrative.
11.18.2006
Writing, Ideology and Activism
Many writers use their fiction as a form of activism. However, does it hurt the art form?
11.04.2006
How People Read
Learn about the four ways to approach reading a book.
11.04.2006
Quick Writing Tip 010 -- How People Read
Learn about the four ways to approach reading a book.
11.03.2006
The Subtle Dimensions of External Conflict
Learn how external conflict can be written to underscore the turmoil brewing within the character's psyche.
10.29.2006
Writing 006 -- Listener Letters (emphasis on approaching the novel)
It's time to respond to some of your questions and comments. All the same, I can't help myself: I address one or two of them so heavily that I hijack my own show and give it a bona-fide theme. Among...
10.25.2006
Quick Writing Tip 008 -- How Writing is like Painting
Learn how writing is like painting a picture. However, this episode is not what you think; it has nothing to do with writing description. Give it a listen.
09.24.2006
Quick Writing Tip 007 -- Be Consistent
Make your characters consistent. Learn how things can easily go wrong.
09.17.2006
Quick Writing Tip 006 -- Sacrifice for the Greatest Good
Stop being so sentimental. If it serves your story, kill the characters you love.
09.17.2006
Quick Writing Tip 006 -- Sacrifice for the Greatest Good
Stop being so sentimental. If it serves your story, kill the characters you love.
09.13.2006
Writing 005 -- Thoughts about Setting
This time out, I talk about how setting can establish tone, bolster theme and give psychological dimension to your story.
09.11.2006
AmericanWriters.com Podcast Promo
Subscribe to the Podcast at AmericanWriters.com.
09.08.2006
The Story or You?
Step outside of yourself -- Stop making all your fiction thinly-veiled autobiography.
09.03.2006
Writing 004 -- The Shadow in the Hero
Ahh, yes. This is one of my favorite discussions when talking about writing. It goes well beyond the mundane, deeply into character and conflict analysis and into the psychological and archetypal. Without this useful dramatic device, your story can easily...
08.30.2006
What's this Adverb Phobia all About?
Should we be afraid of adverbs? Sometimes, yes. Listen to this and learn why.
08.27.2006
Likeable Characters
Okay, write that hateful character -- but make sure that he is loveable.
08.19.2006
Write what you know?? Nonsense!
Stop writing what you KNOW and start using your imagination!
08.17.2006
The Importance of Internal Conflict
Yes, internal conflict is the heart of characterization; but it's also at the heart of drama. Listen and learn.
08.14.2006
Writing 003 -- How to Write Dialogue
Tom Occhipinti talks about how to write dialogue in fiction. He covers the basic rules and discusses whether or not they should be broken. Finally, he touches upon the issue of writing MEANINGFUL dialogue and along the way recounts a...
07.23.2006
Writing 002 -- How to Open your Story: Part Two
This is Part Two of a show that discusses the various ways you can open a story. Part One addressed opening a story with Narrative Description. Here in Part Two, Tom Occhipinti addresses opening a story with Action and Dialogue,...

What's AmericanWriters.com -- Creative Writing Podcast. about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

AmericanWriters.com -- Creative Writing Podcast. episodes:

Writing Deus Ex Machina (Not!)

Motives Beneath Motives

Quick Writing Tip 014 -- Motives Beneath Motives

Writing a Novel Prologue

Story, Narrative and What to Include

Writing, Ideology and Activism

How People Read

Quick Writing Tip 010 -- How People Read

The Subtle Dimensions of External Conflict

Writing 006 -- Listener Letters (emphasis on approaching the novel)

Quick Writing Tip 008 -- How Writing is like Painting

Quick Writing Tip 007 -- Be Consistent

Quick Writing Tip 006 -- Sacrifice for the Greatest Good

Quick Writing Tip 006 -- Sacrifice for the Greatest Good

Writing 005 -- Thoughts about Setting

AmericanWriters.com Podcast Promo

The Story or You?

Writing 004 -- The Shadow in the Hero

What's this Adverb Phobia all About?

Likeable Characters

Write what you know?? Nonsense!

The Importance of Internal Conflict

Writing 003 -- How to Write Dialogue

Writing 002 -- How to Open your Story: Part Two