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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062: “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang

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 “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang. What can we learn from this complex and heart-wrenching science-fiction story? How can we use very specific ideas from specialized fields to drive a narrative? How do we make sure the science that informs the story’s conceit helps to propel the drama of the story? How does tense allow Chiang to play with time in this story? How can we make an alien creature truly alien?

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August 15th, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop

061: “The Girls in Their Summer Dresses” by Irwin Shaw

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 Girls in Their Summer Dresses” by Irwin Shaw. What can we learn from a story driven by dialogue? How does a story like this generate momentum? How is the spare writing achieved? How much can be accomplished with good dialogue? What makes dialogue feel realistic? How can we use non-verbal communication in 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

 

August 1st, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop

First Person: Interview with Richard Bausch

In this episode, Anna talks to eminent novelist and prolific short story writer Richard Bausch. They discuss his short story, “Isolation,” his novella, “Donnaiolo,” and what it’s like to have one’s work optioned and filmed in Hollywood. Richard will also read his recently published short story, “Trigger Warnings.”

If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing to our newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com

For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop

July 22nd, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop

060: “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” 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 this episode, we discuss “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates. What can we learn from this timeless story? How can we handle dialect in our stories? How can we develop good tension for a story? How can we show a character’s motivations without being specific? How can a story linger in its emotions?

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, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop

059: “Herman Wouk is Still Alive” by Stephen King

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 “Herman Wouk is Still Alive” by Stephen King. What can we learn from a short story by a master storyteller? How can we develop plot in a short story? How can we establish 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

 

July 1st, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop

First Person: Interview with Benjamin Percy

In this episode, we interview Benjamin Percy.

Find out more about Benjamin Percy here: https://benjaminpercy.com/

Buy The Ninth Metal here: https://www.contentbookstore.com/

If you enjoy this episode, consider subscribing to our newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com

For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop

June 22nd, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop

058: “The Yellow Wall-Paper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

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 Yellow Wall-Paper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. What can we learn from a 19th-Century Feminist short story? How does the diary-entry structure inform the way we read? How is a first-person point of view affected by the diary format? How does the horror genre help serve the story’s social commentary?

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

 

June 15th, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop

057: “With the Beatles” by Haruki Murakami

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 “With the Beatles” by Haruki Murakami. How does structure help move the story forward and inform its themes? How do the three phases of the structure function in the story? How can ruminating on an idea propel a story? What can we learn from an ambiguous ending? How does a story intrinsically suggest connections between disparate things?

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

 

June 1st, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop

056: “The Prairie Wife” by Curtis Sittenfeld

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 Prairie Wife” by Curtis Sittenfeld. What can we learn from a story that unspools like a stone tumbling down a hill? How can we accomplish such mind-blowing twists? How can we use unconscious cultural dispositions to create tension in a story? How does setting the action of a story in a single day help us structure it?

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

 

May 15th, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop

055: “Wake for Susan” by Cormac McCarthy

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 “Wake for Susan” by Cormac McCarthy. What can we learn from a well-known author’s first publication? How can daydreams or telling stories to ourselves help drive a narrative? How can common experiences become the occassion for a story? How can the history of a place affect the stories that are set there? Can anyone send Kristine more vintage Garfield paraphernalia?

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

 

May 1st, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop

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