Fiction writers from the Naples Writers' Workshop read successful stories and ask "Why Is This Good?"
We discuss how fiction works, the craft of writing, literary art, and what we can learn from examples of excellent writing.
Join us twice each month for our workshop podcast.
Why Is This Good? is hosted by Kristine Gill, J. C. Bronsted, and Rob Curtin.
048: “Symbols and Signs” by Vladimir Nabokov
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “Symbols and Signs” by Vladimir Nabokov. Can a simple story be a vehicle for beautiful presentation? What is the hidden story embedded here? What does it mean to find the “meaning” of a story? What is the point of literary criticism? What is the point of literature? What makes a detail significant within a story?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
January 15th, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop
047: “Trilobites” by B. D’J. Pancake
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “Trilobites” by B. D’J. Pancake. How can a character’s preoccupations and thought processes help build the fictional dream? How do we understand that a character isn’t confronting what’s really on his mind? How can an author draw the reader’s attention to things neither they nor the character are saying? How does setting function as a character?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
January 1st, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop
046: “Cougar” by Maria Anderson
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “Cougar” by Maria Anderson. How does a mood help drive a story? How can we create a symbol? Why are so many stories so sad? How do mood, symbolism, theme, and other story elements work together?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
December 15th, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop
045: “White Noise” by Emma Cline
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “White Noise” by Emma Cline. How can you write fiction about a real person? How true to life should a fictional portrayal be? What can we learn about excellent characterization?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
December 1st, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop
044: “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner. Why is this story so good? How does the ‘we’ point of view work? What kind of narrative structure is at work here? How do character and plot work together? How can we portray a complete life?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
November 15th, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop
043: “The Feminist” by Tony Tulathimutte
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “The Feminist” by Tony Tulathimutte. What can we learn from a story that delves so deeply into contemporary social issues? What can we learn from a protagonist that confidently refuses to acknowledge his own shortcomings? How does he nevertheless remain sympathetic? What can we learn from a story that spans more than thirty years? How does a summary style help span those years? How does this story handle the show-tell dichotomy? How important to fiction and storytelling is empathy?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
November 1st, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop
042: “God’s Work” by Kevin Canty
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “God’s Work” by Kevin Canty. How can a character’s internal struggle drive a story? How can a story driven by a character’s internal struggle be structured? Can we glean any tips for getting published in the New Yorker?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
October 15th, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop
041: “The Fifth Story” by Clarice Lispector
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode we discuss “The Fifth Story” by Clarice Lispector. What can we learn from a piece of metafiction? What can we gain by telling a story in several different ways? How does fiction help us dig deeper into our feelings?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
October 1st, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop
040: “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor. What can we say about a story with so much already written about it? How is this story like a Greek Tragedy? How can we use the form of a Greek Tragedy to inform our own fiction? How can fiction handle so many characters in a scene? How can POV help handle many characters? Can we try to introduce more characters into our short stories?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
September 15th, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop
039: “River of Names” by Dorothy Allison
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “River of Names” by Dorothy Allison. What can we learn from this dark story? How do lists help develop the mood? How does a strong mood help capture the reader and create a memorable story? Where does a story end?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
September 1st, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop