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.
038: “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere” by ZZ Packer
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In this episode, we discuss “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere” by ZZ Packer. What can we learn from such a strongly character-driven story? How does story relate to character? How can we create engaging and believable characters?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
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August 15th, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop
037: “A&P” by John Updike
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In this episode, we are joined by our friend and author, Karl Luntta. Karl is the author of the novel Know it By Heart (Northwestern University Press/Curbstone) and short story collection Swimming (SUNY Press), and has published fiction in journals including International Quarterly, North Atlantic Review, Talking River Review, Baltimore Review, Northeast Corridor, and Toronto Review. He is a firm believer in the Oxford comma.
In this episode, we discuss “A&P” by John Updike. What can we learn from such a seemingly simple story? How can a story told from the point of view of a teenager speak to adult, worldly concerns? Can a teen-aged narrator have a sophisticated voice? How does the story accomplish a storytelling voice? How does a story’s relatability help make it compelling?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
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August 1st, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop
036: “The Pugilist at Rest” by Thom Jones
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 are joined by our friend and author, Karl Luntta. Karl is the author of the novel Know it By Heart (Northwestern University Press/Curbstone) and short story collection Swimming (SUNY Press), and has published fiction in journals including International Quarterly, North Atlantic Review, Talking River Review, Baltimore Review, Northeast Corridor, and Toronto Review. He is a firm believer in the Oxford comma.
Karl suggested we read “The Pugilist at Rest” by Thom Jones. What can we learn from a story about the Vietnam War? What can we learn from such a clear and strong narrative voice? What can we learn from a story structured with compelling digressions and tangents? What do we make of the inclusion of the eponymous statue as a centerpiece of the 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
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July 15th, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop
035: “Girl Alone” by Sallie Bingham
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In this episode, we discuss “Girl Alone” by Sallie Bingham. What can we learn from this tightly packed feminist story? How can quickly drawn and distinct characters help a story? How can character interactions help develop a theme? How can we make flashbacks work in a story? What can we learn from a climactic scene that seems to come out of nowhere?
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
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July 1st, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop
034: “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin
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In this episode, we discuss “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin. What can we learn from a non-traditional story that is not driven by character or scene? How can a story create a takeaway instead of an ending? Can we have a happy story? How can argument rather than plot give a sense of progress? How can an idea suggest the form of a story?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
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June 15th, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop
033: “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain
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In this episode we’re joined once again by our friend, author James Zwerneman. We discuss “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain. What can we learn from Twain’s famous story? How much do we like stories about frogs? How does an introduction to a story affect the story? How does a great voice help a story? How do vivid details help the story?
Find James’s books at the Wiggins Press website.
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
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June 1st, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop
032: The Lost World by Michael Crichton
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In this episode we invited our friend James Zwerneman to join our conversation, and James suggested we discuss a chapter from The Lost World by Michael Crichton. What can we learn from a single chapter from a novel? What can a single chapter accomplish within the context of a novel? What should a scene accomplish? What can we learn from a narrative point of view that is at a distance from the character’s interior thoughts? How do physical descriptions differ from functional descriptions? How important is pervasive conflict in a story? How much conflict can be embedded into the narrative? How can characters embody that conflict?
Find James’s books at the Wiggins Press website.
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
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May 15th, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop
031: “Gator Butchering for Beginners” by Kristen Arnett
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 “Gator Butchering for Beginners” by Kristen Arnett. Can Kristine and JC handle the podcast without Rob during a pandemic? What can we learn from a piece of flash fiction that’s less than 600 words? What can we learn from an extended metaphor? How can we lead the reader to make a comparison between concrete details within a metaphor? How can we compare two things with differing emotional valences? How does a set of instruction or other form add meaning to a piece?
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
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May 1st, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop
030: “Woodland” by Lydia Millet
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In this episode, we discuss “Woodland” by Lydia Millet. What can we learn from the new genre of Climate-Change Fiction, Cli-fi? How does setting help define character? Can setting overwhelm character? How can a story’s emotion affect the needs for its structure or movement? Where does drama in a story come from?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
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April 15th, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop
029: “The School” by Donald Barthelme
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In this episode, we discuss “The School” by Donald Barthelme. Can fiction just be fun? How do voice and rhythm help build humor? How deep into the weeds can we get talking about first and second person?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
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April 1st, 2020 by Naples Writers' Workshop