What makes humans unique among the animals?

Love?

Fire?

Tools?

A great idea for a novel?

Jon and Juliet discuss Yuval Noah Harari's book, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. Jon explains how Mr. Harari's notion of the cognitive revolution has changed his perspective on writing.

Buy Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind on Amazon and help support our show.

(From Amazon) From a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution—a #1 international bestseller—that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.”

One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us?

Most books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a biological approach, but Dr. Yuval Noah Harari breaks the mold with this highly original book that begins about 70,000 years ago with the appearance of modern cognition. From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas.

 

Also mentioned in this show are the very good podcasts:

A Way With Words with Co-hosts Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett take calls from listeners about language.

EconTalk an economics podcast with weekly interviews with guests ranging from small business owners to Nobel Laureates. Hosted by Russ Roberts. This is where Jon first heard about the Harari book.

Let's get real:

That punch to the head...

That divorce...

That violence...

That abuse...

All have consequences on character.

Jon and Juliet talk about trauma and what it means to characters. We love it when the cowboy gets punched on the nose but gets right back on his horse. But have you ever been punched on the nose?

Links and Things Mentioned in the Show:

Jon mentioned Sarah Zarr's very good podcast: This Creative Life. Especially episode 48: Corey Ann Haydu & Adult Children of Alcoholics.

Another podcast about mental health that Jon recommends is The Mental Illness Happy Hour with Paul Gilmartin.

Writers tend to repeat things.

We discuss what and why.

Jon and Juliet start with their own verbal tics: Juliet's awesome and Jon's to da loo. We talk about Gillian Lynn's Gone Girl an the number of literally. In Jon's novel Loom, he discusses removing the world moment seventy-five or so times.

Mentioned on the show:

Gone Girl by Gillian Lynn.

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer? (Link and Text From Amazon.)

Wat are the barriors to becomming a writter?

Their are manny.

Butt one might just get you the most riddicule.

Jon and Juliet share stories of spelling, misspelling, and what it really means to be a writer. As a bonus, Jon shares a story from Miss Jones' class in the sixth grade.

Or what can Michael Jordan teach writers?

It's not how to dribble.

It's not how to drive and score.

It's not about free throws...

For the New Year, Jon and Juliet discuss motivation, tricks, writing and not writing and of course, life and death.

This is no laughing matter.

Your characters like to laugh, right?

So they laugh. They laugh again. And again. And again.

But we have to mix this up.

So maybe they should chuckle. And snort once or twice. Maybe even guffaw.

But then what?

Are they supposed to do... cachinnate?

Jon and Juliet first talk about Roget's Thesaurus, more modern, electronic versions… and then they discuss the sad collection of synonyms for laugh.

Jon then breaks down two novels and the laugh synonyms in each.

Finally, they debate word counting, comparisons, and the uses and possible disadvantages of doing so.

Books mentioned in this show:

Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr

When she is caught in the backseat of a car with her older brother's best friend--Deanna Lambert's teenage life is changed forever. Struggling to overcome the lasting repercussions and the stifling role of "school slut," she longs to escape a life defined by her past. With subtle grace, complicated wisdom and striking emotion, Story of a Girlreminds us of our human capacity for resilience, epiphany and redemption.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

 

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

 Four mysterious letters change Miranda’s world forever.

By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it’s safe to go, like the local grocery store, and they know whom to avoid, like the crazy guy on the corner.

But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a new kid for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda’s mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then Miranda finds the mysterious notes scrawled on a tiny slips of paper.

image credit: wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AOnly_the_serious_know_how_to_truly_laugh.jpg

Who first said Kill Your Darlings?

Was it William Faulkner? Allen Ginsberg? Eudora Welty?

No! And who cares?

The idea stinks.

Jon and Juliet break down the meanings and modern interpretations of Kill Your Darlings. Then they draw out some possible reasons not just when to go easy on your darlings, but when to show them the Love McGuffin.

You're working on a scene...

you need a detail to fill out...

your character's car, shirt, mug...

Surf on over to the staple of writer's everywhere... eBay.

Jon describes how eBay can be a great detail resource not just for details by research.

For a divorce scene, Jon researched a late model Subaru and found this auction:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And for that same vehicle, farther down in the listing was this interior shot:

 

 

 

 

 

 

While searching for a minor fashion designer, Jon searched for 70's Dress and found this lovely number:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a detail shot of the tag:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

eBay can be found at eBay.com.

Despite all the shrieks and cries, your character has gone and done something stupid!

Jon and Juliet discuss Harlan Coben's Six Years and what it can mean when characters treat very old or very new romances with enormous (and maybe crazy) passion to power a story.

Six Years (Amazon Link and Copy)

A masterpiece of modern suspense from #1 New York Timesbestselling author Harlan Coben.

Six years have passed since Jake Fisher watched Natalie, the love of his life, marry another man. Six years of keeping his promise to leave Natalie alone, and six years of tortured dreams of her life with her new husband, Todd. So when Jake comes across Todd’s obituary, he can’t keep himself away from the funeral. There he gets the glimpse of Todd’s wife he’s hoping for....

But she is not Natalie.

Soon Jake’s search for the woman who broke his heart puts his very life at risk, as he uncovers the secrets and lies that love can hide....

Photo Credit: epsos

A listener asked where to find editorial help to get to the next level.

Jon discusses his experience with various writing groups and advance readers. Juliet talks about the different types of editors and finding the right one for you.

Be warned, this show might actually be of useful.

 

Photo Credit: Nic McPhee