20.27: The Lens of Why

Writing Excuses

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

Fiction, Business, Careers

4.7 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 6 July 2025

⏱️ 26 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

We are joined by author Mark Oshiro, who primarily writes YA and middle grade books and was a guest teacher aboard our 2024 cruise! (Our 2025 cruise is over 50% sold out! Learn more and sign up here.) We ask the question, “Why did you write this book?” while focusing specifically on theme and meaning. We discuss how authors ask questions through their work while readers bring their own answers and interpretations. The hosts and Mark emphasize the value of leaving space for readers to engage and find their own meaning in your work.This conversation also highlights how discovering a story’s true theme mid-draft can lead to major rewrites that strengthen the narrative.

Homework: Take a popular book-to-film or book-to-TV adaptation and ask yourself if the film changed the meaning or themes of the book. Then, ask yourself in what ways it did it.

P.S. Our 2025 writing retreat (on a cruise! In Mexico!) is over 50% sold out! Learn more and sign up here.

Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler. Our guest was Mark Oshiro. 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	This episode of writing excuses has been brought to you by our listeners, patrons, and friends.
0:05.6	If you would like to learn how to support this podcast, visit www.com.
0:12.0	Slash writing excuses.
0:15.2	The weather. Tomorrow, expect a...
0:18.3	Biting cold front.
0:19.7	Hmm, how naughty.
0:21.1	I wonder what I'll be wearing or taking off.
0:24.1	The night will be wild and untamed.
0:26.3	Expect heavy, lashing rain that'll soak you to the skin.
0:30.1	By Monday, temperatures will rise slowly but surely reaching their peak in the afternoon.
0:36.3	Not in the mood for miserable weather.
0:38.5	Fly cheaply to Turkey with Sun Express.
0:41.3	Sun Express, non-stop sunshine.
0:44.9	Let's talk about something that might be keeping you up at night.
0:48.7	Cyber security.
0:50.4	According to Vantar's latest state of trust report, it's the number one concern for UK businesses.
0:56.2	That's where Vanta comes in.
0:58.3	Whether you're a startup, growing fast or already established, Vanta can help you get ISO-2701 certified and more without the headaches.
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1:19.2	Stop stressing over cyber security and start focusing on growing your business.
1:24.1	For a limited time, our audience gets $1,000 off Vanta at vanta.com slash go. That's va.neta.com
1:32.0	for $1,000 off. Because when it comes to your business, it's not just about keeping the lights on.
	...

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