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 In this episode we invited our friend James Zwerneman to join our conversation, and James suggested we discuss a chapter from The Lost World by Michael Crichton. What can we learn from a […]

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 In this episode we discuss “Gator Butchering for Beginners” by Kristen Arnett. Can Kristine and JC handle the podcast without Rob during a pandemic? What can we learn from a piece of flash […]

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 In this episode, we discuss “Woodland” by Lydia Millet. What can we learn from the new genre of Climate-Change Fiction, Cli-fi? How does setting help define character? Can setting overwhelm character? How can […]

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 In this episode, we discuss “The School” by Donald Barthelme. Can fiction just be fun? How do voice and rhythm help build humor? How deep into the weeds can we get talking about […]

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 In this episode, we discuss “Cat Person” by Kristen Roupenian. Is it okay to ignore the advice to “show, don’t tell”? Why does this story succeed when it “tells” so much, and what […]

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 In this episode we discuss “Baader-Meinhof” by Don DeLillo. How can characters that misunderstand one another help drive our fiction? How can both meeting a stranger and looking at art change how a […]

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 In this episode we discuss “Sweet on the Tongue” by Roxane Gay.  What can we learn about characterization from subtly drawn characters?  How do relationships help develop character?  What can we learn about […]

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 In this episode, we discuss “I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream” by Harlan Ellison.  What can we learn from a story that depicts some of the most horrible things we might […]

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 In this episode, we discuss “To the Measures Fall” by Richard Powers.  What can we learn from a story written in a “Choose Your Own Adventure” style?  What can we learn about character […]

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 In this episode, we discuss “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury.  What can we learn from a story with no apparent characters?  How can we establish a POV without characters?  How […]