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

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

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

Dan Wells
Guest author invited onto the show
Author (Dan Wells)
Episode: 21.24: Deconstructing the Seven Point Plot Structure
Margaret Dunlap
Longtime friend of the podcast; screenwriter in Hollywood
Hollywood/Screenwriting
Episode: 21.18: Deconstructing the Three Act Structure
Mary Robinette
Author and performer featured on the show
Author
Episode: 21.16: Tension and Release as Call and Response
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 and Lessons in Magic and Disaster
Episode: 20.38: An Interview with Charlie Jane Anders
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

Hosts

Mary Robinette Kowal
Host of Writing Excuses
DongWon Song
Host of Writing Excuses
Erin Roberts
Host of Writing Excuses
Howard Taylor
Host of Writing Excuses

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.3k ratings
  • Inhaling every season in reverse

    New to writing and this is fabulous.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kylalala1111
    United States19 days ago
  • Ads are out of control

    Definitely makes me listen to way fewer episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    The Moves
    United Statesa month ago
  • Woke Social Justice

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    AreWhy
    United Statesa month ago
  • Snippets of wonderful information left adrift in a giant sea of ads.

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    ag3_27
    United States2 months ago
  • 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 States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall sentiment highlights value in actionable editing and storytelling guidance.
Listeners sometimes critique excessive ads and sponsor-heavy content.
Many listeners credit the hosts with helping them publish or improve their writing.
Some reviews note the quality fluctuates with guest lineups and politics in earlier seasons.
Fans praise the show for practical craft tips and bite-sized lessons.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#95
United States/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#47
Canada/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#120
United Kingdom/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#26
Australia/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#232
Germany/Fiction
Apple Podcasts
#242
Italy/Fiction

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

21.24: Deconstructing the Seven Point Plot Structure
Q: What's the difference between a plot point and a pinch in seven-point structure?
Plot points push the character toward the resolution; pinches impede progress and force the character to act, often reducing their options and moving the arc forward through constraint.
21.24: Deconstructing the Seven Point Plot Structure
Q: How do you decide where the call to action should land relative to the hook across different genres?
Genre determines pacing; thrillers demand quick action, horror can delay, and epic fantasies tend to be slower, more stately, with more time before the call to action appears.
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.

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?

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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How many episodes of Writing Excuses are there?

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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What guests have appeared on Writing Excuses?

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

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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