Writing Excuses

In the first of our series on genres, we discuss why people write Sci-Fi, what you need to know to write Sci-Fi, and how much we all love unicorns. Our Sponsors: * Check out HomeServe and use my code...

31 Mar 200813min

If you're new to Writing Excuses, or if you're just curious about some of the terminology we use, let us break it down for you. These are the rules/tricks that we use to keep ourselves on task. Our S...

24 Mar 20083min

Are flaws necessary for villains? What traits make for a really good (err... evil?) villain? What's the difference between Sauron and Gollum? ("That's the LAST time I send you out shopping for Gollum...

24 Mar 200814min

Is there a difference between the two?  How do you use each appropriately in your writing?  And how lovable can a group of mercenaries be? Our Sponsors: * Check out HomeServe and use my code homeserv...

17 Mar 200816min

Brandon, Howard and Dan talk about their first exposure to RPG games, Gary Gygax and the influence he had on them and the industry. Our Sponsors: * Check out HomeServe and use my code homeserve.com/e...

10 Mar 20087min

What makes a good hero? Why is Dirk Pitt so cool? Why do people like Superman? And why does Howard-with-a-chest-cold start to sound like Barry White? Some of these questions are answered in this epi...

10 Mar 200815min

The first line of any story is the most important. People get drawn in to a book because of the first line. Brandon, Howard and Dan talk about how to start a book and what's important about the firs...

3 Mar 200815min

How do you make your novel better? Sometimes you have to cut out the part you like best. Don't believe me? Before I posted this I had attached an image of a chimp wearing a tux. Brandon's Deleted Sc...

25 Feb 200816min