This week at the Story Works Round Table, listener and fellow writer Dave sits down with Alida and Kathryn to discuss the short story by Junot Diaz, "Fiesta, 1980." We're amazed by how much tension Diaz packs into this story about a family gathering, as well as his incredible voice, imagery, and metaphors. 

Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Do you have a project in need of a ghost writer? I'd love to hear from you! www.wordessential.com.  

Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.

Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com

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This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn discuss bookending a story with a prologue and epilogue. Bookends can't just be tacked on; they need to be essential to the reader's understanding of whole story. 

Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.

Read A Room Full of Books & Pencils, ruminations on the essential, stories, & storycraft at booksandpencils.substack.com.

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This week we're back from summer break with a new season and a new format. In addiction to the regular conversations about craft, we'll be reading a short prose text each month and discussing it as writers. Would you like to join the book club? Next month we're talking about Junot Diaz' short story "Fiesta 1980."

This week, we delve into Edith Wharton's brilliant novella, Ethan Frome. What makes this work enduring? What can we learn by reading it and possibly emulate in our own writing? Prepare to be amazed.

I suggest you read the story before listening if you aren't already familiar with it. We spoil everything, because that's the only way to benefit from a conversation about the writing behind this truly great American story.

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

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Story Works Round Table is back next month with some exciting new shows!

Want to sit at the round table? Reach out and let us know!

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This week, Alida and Kathryn welcome Adrienne Young and Isabel Ibañez to the Story Works Round Table to chat about their new book, The Storyteller's Workbook. This is a novelist's dream tool and you're going to want to get your hands on a copy - just ask Kathryn! We get into everything, from the beautiful design and feel of the paper (it really does matter) to the myriad tools  to sections on revision and publication that Adrienne and Isabel packed inside one book cover...all for you.

If you love storytelling, pull up a chair at the Round Table!

You've invested countless hours on your manuscript, and now it's time to invest your writing and yourself. Join a small, select group of your peers in novelist's group coaching. Receive mentoring from an expert writing coach while finishing your novel at an accellerated pace. Schedule your discovery call with Alida today. www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching

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This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida & Kathryn discuss the process of outlining. There is more to talk about than we might first think. Why is outlining useful? How should we go about it to make sure it's a time saver and not a time waster? Does it help to outline more than once in the writing process?

Outlining (or storyboarding) is a great way to assess the story you're writing before and during the lengthy process of novel drafting. The more experienced a writer you are, the more valuable the tool seems to be!

Are you ready to get more out of your writing, to grow your writing skills, and get that novel done faster? Do you want community, feedback, and mentoring? Check out group coaching for novelists. A new session begins in May. www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching

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This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida has Paula Sheridan of the Page Turner Awards joining me at the Round Table to discuss contests. We talk the reasons for entering contests, what judges look for, and getting your manuscript in shape before placing it in judge’s hands.

I’m especially excited about today’s show, because Paula founded the Page Turner Awards. She and her husband, Ken, are doing something unique—at least I’ve never of heard of it being done before.

They are bridging the traditional and indie worlds, holding an annual contest for writers of all stripes and any genre in one place. Not only that, a trophy is nice and a gold seal on your cover does boost sales, but how about winning a mentorship with a developmental editor? How about winning your book being adapted to audio or a screenplay?

Visit www.storyworkspodcast.com to grab Paula's gifts to Story Works Round Table listeners and get links to all the great craft episodes you'll want to get your work in shape for the judges!

Fiction Group Coaching new session begins in May. Schedule a discovery call with Alida today. www.wordessential.com/editing/coach.

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This week's Story Works Writing Tip is all about traits: Make your character traits significant to your story...and here's why and how.

A new session of Fiction Group Coaching begins in May. Got a novel in a drawer? Stuck in the middle of a project? Want to improve your craft while fixing a project in a small group of select peers with a mentor? Set up a discovery call today: www.wordessential.com/editing/coach

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This week on the Story Works Round Table, Kathryn turns the table on Alida. We talk "things we say," all those bits and bobbles of craft speak that get tossed around but not always defined. What does it mean to be tightly plotted? Does every character need a lie or core wound, and are those the same thing?

I have a new session of fiction group coaching beginning soon. This is a special opportunity for writers with a solid grasp of novel writing who are ready to greatly improve their writing skills in a small group of peers with me as your mentor. Each session is three months with biweekly calls. Group size is limited so every member gets time each call to address their story craft questions and discuss their work in progress. Writers in last year’s coaching group have been amazed by the progress they make by having the chance to solve problems as they go, instead of waiting for full draft feedback. The amount of support, encouragement, and accountability is immense. If you’ve got a work in progress, a manuscript getting musty in a drawer, or a complete draft with some problem spots you’d like to dive into, all while becoming a better writer through mentorship and peer support, go to:

www.WordEssential.com/editing/coach

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This week, Alida & Kathryn welcome Kavita Das to the Story Works Round Table. Kavita has a new book out, Craft & Conscience, all about writing that is concerned with social issues. And really, what writing isn't in one way or another getting at the aspects of being human and being human together that could use some work? This conversation is equally beneficial for fiction and nonfiction writers.

This is part 2 of our conversation with Kavita.

Visit her at www.kavitadas.com.

Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.

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