20.06: Lens 2 - Identity 1 - History & Community

Writing Excuses

Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler

Fiction, Business, Careers

4.7 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 9 February 2025

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Have you ever wondered how much you need to know about a specific character before you start your story? Do you need to have an entire outline of their childhood before you can start writing in depth about them? We don’t think so! But it is important to listen to these questions as they emerge. This can help you figure out how to incorporate facets of each character’s identity that have narrative weight, instead of crowding the story with small facts that might not be necessary. This can help you layer and backfill as you build out – and discover– your story.

Homework: Identify something from your character's life before your story begins - write a scene in which that element of the character weighs on the scene but is never explicitly mentioned.

P.S. Want to come write with us in 2025?! Our retreat registration is open, and we are starting to fill up! We are going to unlock our creative processes in Minnesota and explore Story Refinement as we cruise down the Mexican Riviera! Learn more here.

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Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, Dongwon Song, Erin Roberts, and Howard Tayler. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Writing doesn't have to be a solitary activity. That's why we host in-person retreats and workshops.
0:07.0	At the writing excuses retreats, you'll get access to classes, one-on-one office hours, critique sessions, and activities to keep you inspired and motivated.
0:16.0	Become a more engaging storyteller and learn how to navigate the publishing landscape.
0:20.0	As you make meaningful
0:21.4	progress on your stories, you'll also build connections with your fellow writers that will
0:25.8	last for years to come. Check out our upcoming events at writingexcuses.com slash retreats.
0:33.4	Let's talk about something that might be keeping you up at night. Cyber security. According to Vantar's latest state of trust report, it's the number one concern for UK businesses. That's where Vanta comes in. Whether you're a startup, growing fast or already established, Vanta can help you get ISO-2701 certified and more without the headaches.
0:55.7	And Vanta allows your company to centralise security workflows,
0:59.4	complete questionnaires up to five times faster,
1:01.7	and proactively manage vendor risk to help your team not only get compliant,
1:05.8	but stay compliant.
1:07.5	Stop stressing over cybersecurity and start focusing on growing your business. For a limited
1:12.9	time, our audience gets $1,000 off Vanta at vanta.com slash go. That's v-a-n-ta.com slash go for $1,000 off.
1:22.8	Because when it comes to your business, it's not just about keeping the lights on. It's about
1:27.3	keeping everything secure.
1:29.5	This episode of writing excuses has been brought to you by our listeners, patrons, and friends.
1:35.0	If you would like to learn how to support this podcast, visit www.com.
1:41.2	Slash writing excuses.
1:44.4	Season 20, episode 6.
1:48.7	This is writing excuses.
1:51.6	History and community.
1:53.6	I'm Mary Robinette.
	...

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