logo
episode-header-image
Oct 5
22m 22s

20.40: Mary Robinette Kowal’s Personal W...

Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler
About this episode

A lot of people ask published authors what their writing process is like, as if it is a key to being able to write. The only important process is the one that works for you. 

So, we’re going to let each of our hosts spend an episode explaining their own personal process. Our idea is that the best writing process is the one that works for you. Also, this is going to change over the course of your life and career.  

Today we’re learning about Mary Robinette’s writing process, which is built on having a totally random schedule.

Homework: What helps you want to do the things that aren’t writing? For instance, the other tasks and joys in your life? Because the tools that you use for those, also work for writing. Is it lists, or spreadsheets, or body-doubling? Now, see if you can use those same things to help you write more. 

Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Dan Wells, Erin Roberts, and Howard Tayler. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.

Join Our Writing Community! 

Writing Retreats

Newsletter

Patreon

Instagram

Threads

Bluesky

TikTok

YouTube

Facebook




Our Sponsors:
* Check out Aeropress and use my code WX for a great deal: https://aeropress.com
* Check out Gusto: https://gusto.com/WX


Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Up next
Sep 28
20.39: Wrapping up our Conversation about Lenses
Today our hosts tell you why you don’t need to listen to all of our episodes—or even most of them. Each of our five hosts weighs in on how you can combine the topics, subtopics, and lenses that each episode features in order to create a structured path forward for your own writin ... Show More
22m 11s
Sep 21
20.38: An Interview with Charlie Jane Anders
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 ... Show More
35m 3s
Sep 14
20.37: Deep Dive into “All the Birds in the Sky” - Using the Lens of Why
This is our final episode before we have Charlie Jane Anders on the podcast to talk about her writing process next week! Today we’re talking about intention by analyzing thematics, the author’s intent, and the way Anders uses tone and tradition to express the core ideas of the bo ... Show More
27m 50s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
S21 Ep22: NoSleep Podcast S21E22
It's Episode 22 of Season 21. Ride the Sleepless Express into tales about chilling changes. "Unanswerable Questions" written by Bryan Leavelle (Story starts around 00:04:30) TRIGGER WARNING! Produced & scored by: David Cummings Cast: Narrator - Peter Lewis, Gilbert - Mary Murphy, ... Show More
1h 21m
Jun 2025
A Scandal in Bohemia - Part Five
THE GREAT GAME - we had everything set for the seizing of that drive, the chastening of Irene Adler and - most importantly - a victory for Sherlock Holmes against his latest opponent. The fire would reveal all, we would be able to see deep into her person, into her desires and sc ... Show More
28m 19s
Jun 2025
A Scandal in Bohemia - Part Four
THE BOY WHO WOULD BE KING - Irene, Sherlock and I finally had our chance to drop the disguises and speak, albeit in this holy place. It was clear she planned something, quite what destructive scale would unfold escaped even my imagination. We needed a plan and it was devised, ina ... Show More
29m 58s
May 2025
A Scandal in Bohemia - Part Three
CUT TO THE CHASE - The recklessness and boldness of Sherlock's plan and commitment to his 'disguise' had Adler in our grasp. It would seem however that the penny dropped for both her and Sherlock that this was no accidental meeting. This was a game between two great minds. Part 3 ... Show More
33m 22s
Aug 10
S23 Ep6: NoSleep Podcast S23E06
It's Episode 06 of Season 23. Tune in for tales about chilling changes. "For Better or for Worse" written by MN Wiggins (Story starts around 00:05:40) TRIGGER WARNING! Produced by: Claudius Moore Cast: Stan - Peter Lewis, Jenny - Kristen DiMercurio "Kiss It Better" written by Cas ... Show More
1h 15m
Apr 2024
S20: NoSleep Podcast - Sleepless Decompositions Vol. 16
We’re sleeplessly decomposing as Season 21 approaches. Enjoy a bite of Sleepless Decompositions Vol. 16. “Norwegian Standoff” written by Bryan Leavelle (Story starts around 00:02:30) TRIGGER WARNING! Produced by: Phil Michalski Cast: Narrator – Graham Rowat, Minaís Voice – Nichol ... Show More
1h 22m
Apr 2025
Charles Augustus Milverton - Part Two
THIEVES IN THE NIGHT - Milverton had to be stopped and Sherlock had just the plan. Unfortunately that plan involved me. And a woman called Agatha. You'll see what I mean. Part 2 of 3 This episode contains swearing, sexual references, references to coercive behaviour, dark sexual ... Show More
37 m
Jul 22
Abbey Grange - Part One
BACK TO THE FUTURE - It was a blistering summer's day. Sherlock and I had probably over-indulged at The Volunteer and in our giddy stupor we arranged a 'tourist day' in London while Mariana visited her family. Our fun stretched beyond the boundaries of the capital, to Gravesend i ... Show More
30m 59s
Dec 2024
S22: NoSleep Podcast Holiday Hiatus 2024 #1
The NoSleep Podcast is taking a Christmas break but that doesn't mean there aren't some Christmas specials to enjoy! "Christmas Santa" written by Jill Benson (Story starts around 00:05:30) Produced & scored by: David Cummings Cast: Narrator - Peter Lewis, Police Officer - Erin Li ... Show More
2h 4m
Dec 2024
S22 Ep2: NoSleep Podcast S22E02
It's Episode 02 of Season 22. The voices are calling with tales of sinister solutions. "Bank Deposits" written by Blair Daniels (Story starts around 00:04:00) TRIGGER WARNING! Produced by: Jeff Clement Cast: Lynn - Erin Lillis, Jerry - Kyle Akers "The 17" written by Adrian DeLeon ... Show More
1h 21m