logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2024
28 m

Episode 137 - Twenty-one rules of writin...

James Thayer
About this episode
How can an injury be good for us writers? It was for Roald Dahl. And here are Strunk and White's twenty-one rules of writing. Also, Stephen King on descriptions. And several famous setting descriptions, settings so good they are magical. Plus, Toni Morrison reveals how she works. Support the show Buy the master class. 
Up next
Oct 30
Episode 241 - Riveting first sentences.
Our first sentence's main task is to launch the reader into the story. Here's how to begin our story with a riveting opening sentence. And at the other end of the story, after all the pages how should we write the walkaway?Support the showBuy the master class. 
23m 48s
Oct 23
Episode 240 - Make readers laugh out loud.
Not just comedy novels but rather almost all novels will benefit from humor. Here is how to exaggerate to make readers laugh. Also, avoiding dialogue tag modifiers so that our dialogue doesn't become unintentionally funny. Here is a 20-episode master class on fiction writing—a st ... Show More
27m 8s
Oct 16
Episode 239 - A method for ramping up our dialogue.
We writers should give readers what they want, and readers like dialogue. Here is a technique for making our dialogue more engaging. Also: the ten most beautiful words in the English language. And: how to change telling to showing so the scene grips the reader.Support the showBuy ... Show More
25m 39s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2025
20.45: Now Go Write- Break All The Rules (Part 1)
In this episode, Erin shares a sneak peek from her section of our forthcoming book, Now Go Write. (To learn more about our book, sign up for our newsletter!) Erin explores four classic writing “rules,” when it’s worth breaking them, and what that can reveal about your own craft. ... Show More
15m 24s
Oct 2021
277 - The Best Writing Advice I've Ever Heard: 7 Famous Authors Share Their Secrets
<p>Want to "make it" as a writer? In this episode, seven best-selling authors share the writing advice that helped them collectively write and publish 70 books and 28 bestsellers. Listen for over 100 years of writing experience boiled into bite-sized lessons that'll help you blas ... Show More
22m 59s
Mar 2021
Five Easy Rules to Become a Great Writer!
Just follow these simple rules and something something... CONSUME: Elmore Leonard’s famous rules of writing https://www.writingclasses.com/toolbox/tips-masters/elmore-leonard-10-rules-for-good-writing CREATE: Write a 200-500 word story about a ship at sea during a bad storm, and ... Show More
47m 28s
Jan 2024
The Dos and Don’ts When Writing For Children
In today's Books with Hooks, CeCe and Carly discuss what agents look for with a resubmission; the issue with starting with themes in a query letter; the need for your plot and stakes to have a 'domino' effect; infusing character description with emotionality; the need for specifi ... Show More
1h 5m
Jan 2023
#80: Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned From Writing a First Draft
<p><b>In today’s episode, I asked five of my Notes to Novel students to share their biggest lessons learned while working through their first drafts.</b> Here’s a preview of what’s included: </p><p>[02:00] Kelsey Evans on how understanding her genre’s framework made the biggest d ... Show More
34m 31s
Nov 2022
330 - How to Move People with Your Writing
<p>Words falling flat? Learn how to write words (and stories!) that readers can't get enough of. You'll hear from multipassionate writers Cole Schafer and Tina Wells as they peel back the curtain on crafting copy that sells and books that become bestsellers. If you're looking for ... Show More
19m 58s
May 2025
20.21: The Lens of Context
This week, we’re digging into context—what it is, why it matters, and how it can totally transform your storytelling. Whether you're working in fantasy, sci-fi, or anything in between, the details you choose to include (or leave out) can make your world feel rich, real, and emoti ... Show More
21m 15s
Apr 2025
Writing When You're Not Okay - WN 167
How do we cope as writers when life hits us with illness, injury, grief, or overwhelm? This week, we’re exploring what helps, what hurts, and what’s at stake when we find ourselves "not-okay," and how we can navigate those challenges with care and creativity. Thank you for listen ... Show More
26m 43s
Sep 2024
On Writing Well - Book Summary
"The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction" 👉 For more insights, check out the full book here 📖 Transcript and written book summary available here for free 🗒️ Author: William Zinsser Category: Creativity 
31m 14s
May 2022
305 - 9 Creative Writing Prompts for Self-Care
Writing will change your life — if you let it. In this episode, Laura Belgray and I share 9 creative writing prompts to find your voice, kickstart your writing, and create new connections in your brain. Listen now to learn the journaling technique Laura can't stop raving about, p ... Show More
37m 30s