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.
066: “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce
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In this episode, we discuss “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce. What can we learn from a story with such a devastating twist? How can we create an engaging story out of a cheap trick that we’re usually advised to avoid? What’s a good length for a story? Is this a story? Does fiction need to be a story?
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October 15th, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop
065: “All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury
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In this episode, we discuss “All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury. What can we learn from a quick science fiction story? How can a science fiction premise generate a story with such strong emotions? How can we show emotions in a story? What makes good science fiction? How can a simple story still be so affecting? How can an emotional extreme be the center 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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October 1st, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop
064: “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
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In this episode, we discuss “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. What can we learn from this quiet horror story? How does foreshadowing work? How can good, small-town chat help a story? How can something familiar be undermined to make it horrifying?
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, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop
063: “A White Heron” by Sarah Orne Jewett
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In this episode, we discuss “A White Heron” by Sarah Orne Jewett. Why did Kristine choose an old, nineteenth-century story, and what can we learn from it? How have the attention spans of readers changed over the past century? How does the character’s connection with the setting help drive the 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, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop
062: “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang
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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?
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, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop
061: “The Girls in Their Summer Dresses” by Irwin Shaw
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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
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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.”
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July 22nd, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop
060: “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates
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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
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July 15th, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop
059: “Herman Wouk is Still Alive” by Stephen King
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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
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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
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June 22nd, 2021 by Naples Writers' Workshop