Listen & Learn: Podcasts on Writing

Busy lives mean we must be creative in the ways we use our time. For me, that means when I’m doing housework or driving or tallying columns of numbers I listen and learn. I particularly like to listen to podcasts on writing.

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LISTEN OR READ

Last week I shared three of the science-themed podcasts that I listen to. One reader lamented that her lifestyle didn’t lend itself to listening to podcasts and I realized I’d forgotten to mention that many of the podcasts make transcripts of the show. These transcripts are available on their websites. Want to take a look at the science podcasts I recommended? Go here.

There are many, many more podcasts on nearly every topic under the sun. They are available on your favorite podcast carrier (Apple iTunes oStitcher or Android). Download your system appropriate app and discover a whole new world of spoken shows and radio.

Learn from Writers on Writing

Looking for a podcast on writing? Well, I have a few I can recommend.

The Creative Penn is an hour long show that is broadcast every Monday by Joanna Penn, a New York Times bestselling thriller writer and nonfiction writer. She is a self-publishing guru who interviews other authors and creators both from her native Great Britain and around the world. Her interviews are always worth a listen. You can visit her nonfiction site here. Her podcast transcripts are here. She also puts the interview portion of her podcasts on YouTube.

Writing Excuses is a fifteen minute (approximately) podcast hosted by Mary Robinette Kowal, Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells, and Howard Taylor. I love their tagline, “Fifteen minutes long because you’re in a hurry, and we’re not that smart.” They may not think of themselves as smart, but they put on a smart show. Often with guests, they discuss various aspects of the craft of writing. Every broadcast they recommend a book, not just science fiction and fantasy. The book always has a link in their liner notes. Go here to see their podcasts on their website. And they host a cruise! Once a year, a cruise with writing workshops for science fiction and fantasy writers. A cruise I plan to attend someday. Peruse their previous seasons or subscribe to their current season, you’ll find gold.

And, for my third choice . . . The Story Grid with editor and story grid creator, Shawn Coyne, and new writer, Tim Grahl. Tim bravely submits a portion of his work-in-progress for Shawn to critique on air. It’s fascinating to hear both the professional editor and the struggling writer discuss how to build a story. I recommend starting with the Story Grid website to learn the terms Shawn Coyne uses or read his book, The Story Grid: What Editors Know. Then start with the first podcast and follow along as Shawn guides Tim in the completion of his first novel.

There are so many more podcasts that are worth mentioning, but your needs and interests probably differ from mine. Look around the web, I know you’ll find one that you find worthwhile.

Your Turn

If you find one, or you already listen to one, won’t you share the title and a little about it in the comments below?

 

Image courtesy of Raster via Wikimedia Creative Commons.

3 comments

  1. Yay Lynette! Loved your post today! Though I do realize that many enjoy podcasts, especially those you can listen to, I have taken very little time to watch/listen. I know! I feel…guilty. I’ve just had so much going on. Hope all is well with you and yours!

    P.S. Is this a new website? Cause I like the simplicity. It’s looks great!! ((Hugs)) 🙂

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