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Artwork for Writing Excuses
Character Development
Writing
Storytelling
A Memory Called Empire
All the Birds In the Sky
Writing Techniques
Ring Shout
Writing Process
Worldbuilding
Pacing
Narrative Techniques
Storytelling Techniques
World Building
Science Fiction
Relationships
Creative Writing
Short Stories
Tension In Storytelling
Fifth Season
Nanowrimo

Fifteen minutes long, because you're in a hurry, and we're not that smart.

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Artwork for Writing Excuses

Latest Episodes

In this episode, our hosts explore how writers control their readers’ attention with the metaphor of a bouncing ball. We break down techniques for guiding focus on the page, including POV choice, selective description, rhythm, and where details appea... more

Dan Wells joins our conversation as we break down the seven-point plot structure! Using examples from Star Wars, Toy Story, and other films, we discuss how each point creates conflict, drives character growth, and moves a story forward. We explore th... more

In this episode, our hosts explore one of the most persistent barriers to writing: interruptions. From family members and pets to emails, meetings, fatigue, and neurodivergence, they discuss how disruptions can derail creative focus—and how writers c... more

*Time-Sensitive*

Our final WXR cruise is almost sold out, grab your spot before June 4th, 2026 here!

This week, we are talking about the order in which we present information to the reader as contrasted with the order in which events actually prog... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

Recent Guests

Margaret Dunlap
Special guest and occasional house guest
Episode: 21.22: The Order of the Telling
Dr. Tara Lepore
Paleontologist and recent PhD graduate
Episode: 20.43: An Interview with Dr. Tara Lepore on Paleontology
Erin Roberts
Game writer and freelancer discussing her writing process.
Episode: 20.42: Erin Roberts’ Personal Writing Process
Charlie Jane Anders
Author of 'All the Birds in the Sky'
Episode: 20.37: Deep Dive into “All the Birds in the Sky” - Using the Lens of Why
Mark Oshiro
Primarily a young adult and middle-grade author with seven published books.
Episode: 20.27: The Lens of Why
Charles Duhigg
Journalist for The New Yorker and author of 'Supercommunicators' and 'The Power of Habit'
The New Yorker
Episode: 20.24: An Interview with Charles Duhigg
Christopher Schwarz
Furniture maker, writer, and publisher
Lost Art Press
Episode: 20.17: An Interview with Christopher Schwarz
Chuck Tingle
Author known for self-publishing erotica and recently publishing horror novels
Nightfire, part of Tor, part of Macmillan
Episode: 20.10: Interview with Chuck Tingle: Breaking the Rules
Kate McKean
Literary agent at the Howard Morhaime Literary Agency
Howard Morhaime Literary Agency
Episode: 20.02: Q&A Aboard the Writing Excuses Cruise, with Mark Oshiro and Kate McKean

Hosts

DongWon Song
Host of Writing Excuses; active participant in craft discussions and pedagogy.
Erin Roberts
Co-host focusing on storytelling craft, worldbuilding, and practical exercises.
Mary Robinette Kowal
Lead host with expertise in writing craft, structure, and teaching; central voice across episodes.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.2k ratings
  • Way too many of the same ads

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Sarfwritesbooks
    United States2 months ago
  • All ads

    I’ve tried listening to 10 different episode, but there’s hardly any actual content. It’s like a 3:1 ratio of ads, preamble, and self promotion to helpful content

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Dominic425
    United States5 months ago
  • So many ads

    I recently found this podcast and am enjoying the actual content—but there’s roughly 4 minutes of ads at the top and another long batch in the middle. It ends up feeling less about the writing content and more just a delivery vehicle for ads, ads, ads.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    MoTee40
    United States5 months ago
  • 7 minutes of commercials before episode even begins

    7 minutes of commercials before episode even begins. This show is all ads and has gotten less helpful over time.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Heroic Victory
    United States7 months ago
  • Too many ads

    Great advice but for a 20 minute episode, 10+ minutes are ads.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    FezziwigII
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Longtime fans appreciate improvements and consistency in recent seasons
Many praise practical, bite-sized craft tips and homework
Community-driven feel and supportive environment noted by listeners
Ads/reads are frequently criticized by listeners
Quality of guest content varies but remains valuable for serious writers

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#87
United States/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#43
Canada/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#52
United Kingdom/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#40
Australia/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#83
Germany/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#114
Italy/Fiction

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

20.51: Howard Tayler’s Personal Writing Process
Q: How did you develop your writing process?
I adapted the process of another cartoonist, Bill Amend, realizing that I could use technology to better fit my creativity and needs.
20.51: Howard Tayler’s Personal Writing Process
Q: As you became a better artist, did you think about changing your process? What made you stick to it?
I considered changing my process several times but always felt that it would make me less productive and affect my income, so I decided to keep it as it was.
20.43: An Interview with Dr. Tara Lepore on Paleontology
Q: What does make something paleontology?
Paleontology is primarily the study of all life on Earth and includes various forms of life from different eras as well as their evolution.
20.43: An Interview with Dr. Tara Lepore on Paleontology
Q: What are some of the stories about our world, about the beings and creatures on it, that paleontology is able to tell in a way that no other field can?
Paleontology offers insights into deep time and the evolution of life, providing a powerful narrative about Earth's history.
20.41: DongWon Song’s Personal Writing Process
Q: How do you deal with the guilt of taking time for yourself when there are responsibilities waiting?
DongWon recommends trapping your tasks and worries in a notebook before engaging in writing to alleviate anxiety and free your mind.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Writing Excuses

What is Writing Excuses about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A craft-focused show that delivers practical writing guidance in short, focused episodes. Highlights across recent episodes include mastering sequencing, act structure, tension and release, openings (cold opens and voice-driven), grounding and worldbuilding, and techniques for making middles engaging. The hosts emphasize actionable exercises, clear takeaways, and tools writers can apply immediately, often illustrated with examples from fiction, film, and theatre. A notable trait is the blend of accessible, bite-sized advice with deeper dives into technique, plus sponsor integrations that support production. This format tends to attract serious writers seeking concrete tips, fast-paced lessons, and a community-driven feel.

Where can I find podcast stats for Writing Excuses?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Writing Excuses. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Writing Excuses and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Writing Excuses get?

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How many episodes of Writing Excuses are there?

Writing Excuses launched 11 years ago and published 994 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Writing Excuses?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Writing Excuses?

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What guests have appeared on Writing Excuses?

Recent guests on Writing Excuses include:

1. Margaret Dunlap
2. Dr. Tara Lepore
3. Erin Roberts
4. Charlie Jane Anders
5. Mark Oshiro
6. Charles Duhigg
7. Christopher Schwarz
8. Chuck Tingle

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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