Dialogue lets the reader become part of the story, as if the reader is standing next to the characters listening to them talk.  Not all conversation between characters is equal: argument is the most engaging dialogue.  An argument between characters in our story--the back and forth, the accusations and denials, the evasions and justifications--can be riveting.  Here are thoughts on writing the big argument scene.<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/TheEssentialGuidetoWritingaNovel?view_as=patron">Support the show</a><a href='https://www.patreon.com/posts/146939958/edit?purchase_only=true'>Buy the master class.</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Dialogue lets the reader become part of the story, as if the reader is standing next to the characters listening to them talk.  Not all conversation between characters is equal: argument is the most engaging dialogue.  An argument between characters in our story--the back and forth, the accusations and denials, the evasions and justifications--can be riveting.  Here are thoughts on writing the big argument scene.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/TheEssentialGuidetoWritingaNovel?view_as=patron"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.patreon.com/posts/146939958/edit?purchase_only=true'&gt;Buy the master class.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Dialogue lets the reader become part of the story, as if the reader is standing next to the characters listening to them talk.  Not all conversation between characters is equal: argument is the most engaging dialogue.  An argument between characters in our story--the back and forth, the accusations and denials, the evasions and justifications--can be riveting.  Here are thoughts on writing the big argument scene. Support the show Buy the master class. 

Episode 203 - Argument makes our dialogue riveting.

Writing fiction is work but it doesn&apos;t need to be a grind.  Here&apos;s how we can have fun while we write, things that&apos;ll give us a joyful kick, maybe even make us laugh.  Also: the important technique of the mini-backstory, which reveals so much about our character in so little space.Here is a 20-episode master class on fiction writing—a start-to-finish course covering plot, characters, dialogue, scenes, sentence-level craft, and much more.  Each episode is focused and about 30 minutes.  The full class—all 20 episodes—is available now for a one-time price of forty-nine dollars.  If you want structured, concise guidance, click the Buy the Master Class link in the show notes to get started.<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/TheEssentialGuidetoWritingaNovel?view_as=patron">Support the show</a><a href='https://www.patreon.com/posts/146939958/edit?purchase_only=true'>Buy the master class.</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Writing fiction is work but it doesn&amp;apos;t need to be a grind.  Here&amp;apos;s how we can have fun while we write, things that&amp;apos;ll give us a joyful kick, maybe even make us laugh.  Also: the important technique of the mini-backstory, which reveals so much about our character in so little space.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here is a 20-episode master class on fiction writing—a start-to-finish course covering plot, characters, dialogue, scenes, sentence-level craft, and much more.  Each episode is focused and about 30 minutes.  The full class—all 20 episodes—is available now for a one-time price of forty-nine dollars.  If you want structured, concise guidance, click the Buy the Master Class link in the show notes to get started.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/TheEssentialGuidetoWritingaNovel?view_as=patron"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.patreon.com/posts/146939958/edit?purchase_only=true'&gt;Buy the master class.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Writing fiction is work but it doesn't need to be a grind.  Here's how we can have fun while we write, things that'll give us a joyful kick, maybe even make us laugh.  Also: the important technique of the mini-backstory, which reveals so much about our character in so little space. Here is a 20-episode master class on fiction writing—a start-to-finish course covering plot, characters, dialogue, scenes, sentence-level craft, and much more.  Each episode is focused and about...

Episode 202 - How to have fun while writing.

Physics loves formulas: E=MC2.  How about writing?  Here is a formula for writing strong sentences, ones that are clear and have energy.  Our setting and character descriptions can also benefit from a formula, one that shows how to engage the reader.  That formula is talked about here, too.<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/TheEssentialGuidetoWritingaNovel?view_as=patron">Support the show</a><a href='https://www.patreon.com/posts/146939958/edit?purchase_only=true'>Buy the master class.</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Physics loves formulas: E=MC2.  How about writing?  Here is a formula for writing strong sentences, ones that are clear and have energy.  Our setting and character descriptions can also benefit from a formula, one that shows how to engage the reader.  That formula is talked about here, too.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/TheEssentialGuidetoWritingaNovel?view_as=patron"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.patreon.com/posts/146939958/edit?purchase_only=true'&gt;Buy the master class.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Physics loves formulas: E=MC2.  How about writing?  Here is a formula for writing strong sentences, ones that are clear and have energy.  Our setting and character descriptions can also benefit from a formula, one that shows how to engage the reader.  That formula is talked about here, too. Support the show Buy the master class. 

Episode 201 - A formula for strong sentences.

Do we have the skill to write a novel or short story?  Here are early clues that may let us  know.  Also, top writers&apos; ten best rules of writing.  And J.R.R. Tolkien&apos;s techniques for writing fascinating settings.Here is a 20-episode master class on fiction writing—a start-to-finish course covering plot, characters, dialogue, scenes, sentence-level craft, and much more.  Each episode is focused and about 30 minutes.  The full class—all 20 episodes—is available now for a one-time price of forty-nine dollars.  If you want structured, concise guidance, click the Buy the Master Class link in the show notes to get started.<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/TheEssentialGuidetoWritingaNovel?view_as=patron">Support the show</a><a href='https://www.patreon.com/posts/146939958/edit?purchase_only=true'>Buy the master class.</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Do we have the skill to write a novel or short story?  Here are early clues that may let us  know.  Also, top writers&amp;apos; ten best rules of writing.  And J.R.R. Tolkien&amp;apos;s techniques for writing fascinating settings.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here is a 20-episode master class on fiction writing—a start-to-finish course covering plot, characters, dialogue, scenes, sentence-level craft, and much more.  Each episode is focused and about 30 minutes.  The full class—all 20 episodes—is available now for a one-time price of forty-nine dollars.  If you want structured, concise guidance, click the Buy the Master Class link in the show notes to get started.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/TheEssentialGuidetoWritingaNovel?view_as=patron"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.patreon.com/posts/146939958/edit?purchase_only=true'&gt;Buy the master class.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Do we have the skill to write a novel or short story?  Here are early clues that may let us  know.  Also, top writers' ten best rules of writing.  And J.R.R. Tolkien's techniques for writing fascinating settings. Here is a 20-episode master class on fiction writing—a start-to-finish course covering plot, characters, dialogue, scenes, sentence-level craft, and much more.  Each episode is focused and about 30 minutes.  The full class—all 20 episodes—is availab...

Episode 200 - How can we know if we can write?

Sometimes in our story we&apos;ll have a scene filled with people where everyone is moving all at once, such as a battle scene or mob scene or festival scene or street scene.  Here are techniques on crafting the scene so there&apos;s no confusion so readers can focus on the hero.  Also, what is the rule of exceptions?  And, can something bad happening to us make us better writers? <a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/TheEssentialGuidetoWritingaNovel?view_as=patron">Support the show</a><a href='https://www.patreon.com/posts/146939958/edit?purchase_only=true'>Buy the master class.</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Sometimes in our story we&amp;apos;ll have a scene filled with people where everyone is moving all at once, such as a battle scene or mob scene or festival scene or street scene.  Here are techniques on crafting the scene so there&amp;apos;s no confusion so readers can focus on the hero.  Also, what is the rule of exceptions?  And, can something bad happening to us make us better writers? &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/TheEssentialGuidetoWritingaNovel?view_as=patron"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.patreon.com/posts/146939958/edit?purchase_only=true'&gt;Buy the master class.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Sometimes in our story we'll have a scene filled with people where everyone is moving all at once, such as a battle scene or mob scene or festival scene or street scene.  Here are techniques on crafting the scene so there's no confusion so readers can focus on the hero.  Also, what is the rule of exceptions?  And, can something bad happening to us make us better writers?  Support the show Buy the master class. 

Episode 199 - Writing a scene with many people and lots of motion.

Hosted by James Thayer, the podcast is a practical, step-by-step manual on how to craft a novel.  It presents a set of tools for large issues such as story development and scene construction (Kirkus Reviews said Thayer's novels are "superbly crafted') and it also examines techniques that will make your sentence-by-sentence writing shine. The New York Times Book Review has said Thayer's "writing is smooth and clear.  it wastes no words, and it has a rhythm only confident stylists achieve.

Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

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