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.

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092: “The Venus Effect” by Violet Allen

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 Venus Effect” by Violet Allen. What can we learn from this work of metafiction? How can metafictional elements help a story accomplish its effects? What function can an author construct serve in a story? How can going over a story again and again with different attention help us fully explore the story?

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November 15th, 2022 by Naples Writers' Workshop

091: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” by F. Scott Fitzgerald

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In this episode, we discuss “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. What can we learn from this story built around the strange premise of aging in reverse? How can a single concept be the seed for a story? How can we develop an idea into a complete story? How can we create realistic 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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November 1st, 2022 by Naples Writers' Workshop

090: “Good Country People” by Flannery O’Connor

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In this episode, we discuss “Good Country People” by Flannery O’Connor. What can we learn from this classic story from a great writer? How does its structure work? How are background and flashback handled? How does the structure help develop the points of view, and how does shifting perspective strengthen the themes of the story? How can names help direct point of view? How can the way characters feel about one another help guide the reader’s emotional reactions? What kind of details help bring habitual activities to life?

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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October 15th, 2022 by Naples Writers' Workshop

089: “Escape from Spiderhead” by George Saunders

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In this episode, we discuss “Escape from Spiderhead” by George Saunders. What can we learn from yet another great story from Saunders? What is voice, and does an author have a voice separate from the characters? How much are we meant to read into a story? What can we learn from the unusual structure of this story? How can thinking about the movie version of your story help you develop it? How can we use language in a specific and nuanced way to help develop 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

October 1st, 2022 by Naples Writers' Workshop

088: “Welcome to the Medical Clinic at the Interplanetary Relay Station” by Caroline M. Yoachim

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 “Welcome to the Medical Clinic at the Interplanetary Relay Station | Hours Since the Last Patient Death: 0” by Caroline M. Yoachim. What can we learn from a “Choose Your Own Adventure”-style story? How can the form help develop a theme? How can metafiction reinforce themes and reach for “universal” truths? How can a strong attitude or emotion help drive the writing of a story and the story itself? Is anger a good driving emotion for writing?

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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September 15th, 2022 by Naples Writers' Workshop

087: “The Swimmer” by John Cheever

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In this episode, we discuss “The Swimmer” by John Cheever. What can we learn from this fantastic story? What can we say about the point of view? How does Neddy’s journey drive the way we understand the story? Does a story need to be real? Does it have to mean anything? How do we figure out a story’s theme? How is emotion expressed in this 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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September 1st, 2022 by Naples Writers' Workshop

086: “Wikihistory” by Desmond Warzel

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In this episode, we discuss “Wikihistory” by Desmond Warzel. What can we learn from this story set on an internet forum? How can we be creative with pseudo-paratext? How can we rely on a reader’s understanding of format to fill in the blanks of a story? How can we generate story ideas by thinking about the many ways people communicate with one another?

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, 2022 by Naples Writers' Workshop

085: “The Black Phone” by Joe Hill

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In this episode, we discuss “The Black Phone” by Joe Hill. What can we learn from a story by one of Stephen King’s kids? How does horror work in written form? How can we craft prose that lets the reader zip through the story? What can we learn from the prose of this story? What can we learn from the structure of this story? How can separating a story into sections help both the writing and the reading?

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

August 1st, 2022 by Naples Writers' Workshop

084: “Referential” by Lorrie Moore

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In this episode, we discuss “Referential” by Lorrie Moore. What can we learn from a story inspired by another famous story? What can we learn from the changes Moore makes in the story? What about the story elements and even language that are the same? What is the artistic value in rewriting someone else’s 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

July 15th, 2022 by Naples Writers' Workshop

083: “Brokeback Mountain” by Annie Proulx

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In this episode, we discuss “Brokeback Mountain” by Annie Proulx. What can we learn from the quiet voice of this story? How does the narrative voice represent the characters? How can the setting determine the voice of the story? How can a voice embody the whole story? Can we learn from the underlying story of characters who can’t have what they really want?

Alternate version of the story: “Brokeback Mountain” by Annie Proulx

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

July 1st, 2022 by Naples Writers' Workshop

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