
Fifteen minutes long, because you're in a hurry, and we're not that smart.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 1005 | Founded | 11 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | FictionBusinessCareers | |||

A great twist shouldn’t just surprise us—it should make us rethink everything that came before. This week, our hosts explore reader expectations, misdirection, and hiding clues in plain sight. We look at twists from The Sixth Sense, The Matrix, Ocean... more
This week, our hosts explore kishōtenketsu, an Asian story structure that appears under different names in China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. Unlike the Western three-act structure, it isn’t built around conflict. Instead, it moves through four stages... more
How close is your reader to the story? Should they be closer? Today, our hosts get nerdy about narrative distance: the space between reader, narrator, character, and world. We talk POV, sensory detail, and familiarity—and how each can zoom a reader i... more
A story doesn’t always need the same tools from beginning to end. In this episode, we talk about recognizing when it’s time to shift gears—and how to make those changes feel intentional rather than abrupt. Our hosts look at transitions between action... more
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New to writing and this is fabulous.
Definitely makes me listen to way fewer episodes.
Good podcast in the early episodes w Brandon, you just have to fast forward past Howard. The other problem is the politics, we get it, they’re liberals, do you have to spend every episode talking about offending various identities and oppression? Go back to talking about SciFi and writing.
I understand that non-subscription based podcasts need ad revenue to survive, but this show makes it a little excessive. All the great content and information is drowned in advertising and skipping through the ads disrupts the listening experience. I listen to dozens of podcasts that utilize ads and none of them are so disruptive…there are absolutely better ways to implement ads if they must be a necessary evil.
I love this show but if I have to hear another ad about Chris Hatfield and Mars in situ resource management I might throw my phone across the room
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #95 | |
Apple Podcasts | #47 | |
Apple Podcasts | #120 | |
Apple Podcasts | #26 | |
Apple Podcasts | #232 | |
Apple Podcasts | #242 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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This show targets writers and creatives, offering practical craft advice across episodic topics like scene design, pacing, transitions, exposition, and narrative structure. Regular hosts guide accessible, bite-sized lessons designed to be actionable for quick wins in fiction and screenwriting alike. A standout trait is the blend of craft theory with hands-on exercises, guest perspectives, and sponsor reads, which keeps episodes engaging for committed writers while maintaining an approachable, conversational vibe. The format emphasizes clear takeaways, practical prompts, and a masterclass-style approach to storytelling mechanics, making it useful for listeners who want tangible techniques they can apply in short sessions.
Noteworthy aspects... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Writing Excuses:
1. Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice
2. Helping Writers Become Authors
3. Essential Guide to Writing a Novel
4. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
5. No Write Way with V. E. Schwab
Writing Excuses launched 11 years ago and published 1005 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Writing Excuses include:
1. Dan Wells
2. Margaret Dunlap
3. Mary Robinette
4. Dr. Tara Lepore
5. Erin Roberts
6. Charlie Jane Anders
7. Charles Duhigg
8. Christopher Schwarz
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