logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2025
35m 3s

20.38: An Interview with Charlie Jane An...

Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler
About this episode
We had the absolute joy of sitting down with Charlie Jane Anders, the author of the book we’ve focused on for our last four episodes (All the Birds in the Sky). We talked with Anders about POV, tone, and how she played around with humor —partly by occasionally using an omniscient POV! Anders also explained how to incorporate humor and whimsy, and what it fee ... Show More
Up next
Aug 2
21.31: Deconstructing Save the Cat
Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by Blake Snyder was published in 2005 and is widely popular because it offers a reliable, repeatable storytelling framework. Today we are joined by guest Margaret Dunlap as we attempt to answer: why Save the Cat is suc ... Show More
27m 22s
Jul 26
21.30: Chapter Breaks Soon
A lot of times people want to know what the "ideal length" is for a chapter. But chapters can range from one sentence, to a single scene, all the way up to Terry Pratchett who doesn't use chapters at all. Our hosts explore chapters as a pacing tool rather than a fixed unit of len ... Show More
27m 56s
Jul 19
21.29: How to Make a Scene
What makes a scene feel like a scene? This week, we unpack one of storytelling's most basic building blocks. Our hosts explore where scenes begin and end, how they differ from beats, and why framing and narrative purpose matter more than rigid definitions. We also explore practic ... Show More
28m 58s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2021
Interview with Myriam J. A. Chancy
In this week’s episode, Kendra talks with Myriam J. A. Chancy about her book, What Storm, What Thunder, which is out from Tin House. Check out our Patreon page to learn more about our book club and other Patreon-exclusive goodies. Follow along over on Instagram, join the discussi ... Show More
40m 29s
Apr 2021
284: Brain Secretions Worthy of Consumption (w/ Charlie Jane Anders!)
How do we know if our ideas are original? Are there any serious efforts to colonize asteroids? Why aren't there any space books for teenagers? When does contemporary fiction become historical fiction? How do I write more than a few pages at a time? What unnecessary things do you ... Show More
46m 36s
Mar 2022
How a Ghostwriter for Fiction Collaborates With Clients
This week, host June Thomas talks to author, ghostwriter, and YouTuber Michelle Schusterman, who’s written more than a dozen novels. In the interview, Michelle differentiates between her various writing jobs and explains how she juggles so many projects. She also gives a step-by- ... Show More
48m 27s
Oct 2021
Ep. 119 | She Writes Crime
In this week’s episode, Kendra and Sumaiyya, with special guest, Abby, discuss crime fiction for October’s theme She Writes Crime. Thanks to Our Sponsor! For a limited time, our listeners can use promo code – Funjet75 – for $75 off your next Funjet vacation to RIU hotels and reso ... Show More
50m 27s
Oct 2016
Ep 44: Like speed dating, but with authors
Today we meet a indie bookstore owner and kindred bookish spirit, Annie Jones. In this episode, Anne and Annie talk about her wildly unlikely path to bookstore ownership, her love of dysfunctional family literature, and the way meeting an author in person can change the way you e ... Show More
56m 54s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami