20.47: Now Go Write- All the Eggs in All the Baskets

Writing Excuses

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

Business, Careers, Fiction

4.6 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 23 November 2025

⏱️ 30 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Dan shares his experience of rebuilding and reinventing his writing career from his section of our forthcoming book Now Go Write. Our hosts walk through practical ways that writers can diversify their work— from writing for RPGs and video games to writing in a new genre like middle grade or nonfiction — and why having multiple, truly separate revenue streams matters. They also dig into the psychological work of redefining yourself as a writer (not only a novelist), staying flexible when setbacks hit, and protecting time for the projects that keep your heart in the work. Listen for concrete strategies and encouragement to lean into new formats without losing sight of why you write. Homework: Write something in a genre or format you’ve never tried before — a single TV episode scene, a short RPG adventure, a tie-in short story, a script, or a 500–1,000-word nonfiction piece. And see how it feels! ANNOUNCEMENTS: Call for Writing Breakthroughs Have you had a breakthrough in your writing because of Writing Excuses? If so, we want to hear about it. Fill out this Writing Breakthroughs Google Form for a chance to be featured in a WX Newsletter! Last Annual Cruise The final WXR cruise sets sail for Alaska in September 2026—don’t miss your chance to be part of it. Learn more and sign up here. *Scholarship applications for our cruise are open now until December 31st, 2025. You can learn more and apply here. Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Dan Wells, Erin Roberts, Mary Robinette Kowal, Hoard Tayler, and DongWon Song. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson. Join Our Writing Community! Writing Retreats Newsletter Patreon Instagram Threads Bluesky TikTok YouTube Facebook Our Sponsors: * Check out HomeServe and use my code homeserve.com/excuses for a great deal: https://www.homeserve.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/WX for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	For more than a decade, we've hosted Writing Excuses at Sea, an annual workshop and retreat on a cruise ship.
0:09.1	You're invited to our final cruise in 26. It's a chance to learn, connect, and grow, all while sailing
0:16.7	along the stunning Alaskan and Canadian coast. Join us, the hosts of writing excuses, and
0:22.9	spend dedicated time leveling up your writing craft. Attend classes, join small group breakout sessions,
0:29.7	learn from instructors one-on-one at office hours, and meet with other writers from around the
0:34.7	world. During the week-long retreat, we'll also dock at three
0:38.2	Alaskan ports, Juno, Sitka, and Skagway, as well as Victoria, British Columbia. Use this time
0:45.1	to ride on the ship or choose excursions that allow you to get up close in person with glaciers,
0:50.3	go whale watching, and learn more about the rich history of the region and more.
0:55.2	Next year will be our grand finale after over 10 years of successful retreats at sea.
1:01.0	Whether you're a longtime alumni or a newcomer, we would love to see you on board.
1:05.9	Early bird pricing is currently available and we also offer scholarships.
1:10.4	You can learn more at writingexcuses.com
1:13.6	slash retreats.
1:16.7	This episode of writing excuses has been brought to you by our listeners, patrons, and friends.
1:22.6	If you would like to learn how to support this podcast, visit www. www. patreon.com slash writing excuses.
1:32.1	Season 20, episode 47.
1:36.5	This is writing excuses.
1:39.0	Now go write. All the eggs and all the baskets.
1:42.0	I'm Mary Robinette.
1:43.0	I'm Don Juan.
1:43.7	I'm Dan. I'm Don Juan. I'm Dan.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.