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.
109: “Happy Endings” by Margaret Atwood
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 “Happy Endings” by Margaret Atwood. What can we learn from this playful bit of metafiction? How can we be playful and experimental when writing a story? How can a metafiction or playful form still have an emotional story arc? Can letting go of the rules and writing to discover what’s possible help us with our 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
August 1st, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop
108: “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe
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 Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe. What can we learn from this classic horror story? How much is needed to create the main effect of the story? What can be done with a good story premise? How do we choose the central character for a story based on a good premise? How has style and language changed since the 19th century?
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
July 15th, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop
107: “How to Eat Chicken Wings” 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 “How to Eat Chicken Wings” by Kristen Arnett. What can we learn from this fun little piece? Are chicken wings a metaphor? Can a metaphor change through a story? How can food help develop an idea in a story? How can we push the boundaries of form?
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
July 1st, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop
106: “The Frog Prince” by Robert Coover
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 Frog Prince” by Robert Coover. What can we learn from this retelling of a classic fairy-tale trope? Should we take a story like this literally? What does it mean to have a writer’s eye? How do we find the perfect details? How is seeing great details not merely a matter of choosing the best words?
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
June 15th, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop
105: “Milkwishes” by Kristen Roupenian
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 “Milkwishes” by Kristen Roupenian. What can we learn from this story that happens so much in the character’s thoughts? How can memories be the main focus of a story? How can we develop subtle narrative voice in a third-person story? What can you do with a really long sentence?
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
June 1st, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop
104: “Redemption” by John Gardner
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 “Redemption” by John Gardner. What can we learn from this story based on true events from the author’s childhood? How important is it that depictions feel real? How can we very quickly introduce characters? How important is it to develop the arc of a story to depict true events?
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
May 15th, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop
103: “A Temporary Matter” by Jhumpa Lahiri
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 Temporary Matter” by Jhumpa Lahiri. What can we learn from this story with such a simple premise? How can memory inform a story? How does memory differ from flashback? How can a story be driven by a character’s thoughts? How can a secret help develop drama?
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
May 1st, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop
102: “The Worshipful Society of Glovers” by Mary Robinette Kowal
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 Worshipful Society of Glovers” by Mary Robinette Kowal. What can we learn from this historical fantasy story? Do fantasy stories have a steep learning curve? How can we quickly build an alternate world in a short story? How can mixing genres create exciting stories? Despite the trappings of genre, how can such stories always still be about the human condition?
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
April 15th, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop
101: “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
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 “To Build a Fire” by Jack London. What can we learn from this classic, straightforward story? How can immediacy drive a story? How can the story’s setting be an intrinsic part of the narrative? What can we learn from the line “And then it happened”? How does point of view shape our experience of the immediacy 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
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
April 1st, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop
100: “The Lady with the Pet Dog” by Joyce Carol Oates
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 our one-hundredth episode, we discuss “The Lady with the Pet Dog” by Joyce Carol Oates. What can we learn from this retelling of Anton Chekhov’s story “The Lady with the Little Dog”? How does the retelling affect our understanding of the characters? How does the non-linear narrative help the story develop? How does varied sentence structure help develop the prose style? What story would we retell?
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
March 15th, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop