PodParley PodParley
PodParley
13.44: Alien Characters episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 4, 2018 · 18 MIN

13.44: Alien Characters

from Writing Excuses · host Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler

Your Hosts: Brandon, Mary Robinette, Dan, and Howard As writers of speculative fiction we are frequently tasked with writing a species or race of alien people. In this episode we talk about some of the tricks we use to create non-human characters in ways that make them both comprehensible and compelling, and the pitfalls we seek to avoid in the process. Credits: This episode was recorded by Dan Thompson and mastered by Alex Jackson.Our Sponsors:* Check out HomeServe and use my code homeserve.com/excuses for a great deal: https://www.homeserve.com* Check out MasterClass and use my code masterclass.com/EXCUSES for a great deal: https://MasterClass.com* Check out Talkiatry and use my code Talkiatry.com/WX for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/writing-excuses2130/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Nov 4, 2018

What this episode covers

Your Hosts: Brandon, Mary Robinette, Dan, and Howard As writers of speculative fiction we are frequently tasked with writing a species or race of alien people. In this episode we talk about some of the tricks we use to create non-human characters in ways that make them both comprehensible and compelling, and the pitfalls we seek to avoid in the process. Credits: This episode was recorded by Dan Thompson and mastered by Alex Jackson. Our Sponsors: * Check out HomeServe and use my code homeserve.com/excuses for a great deal: https://www.homeserve.com * Check out MasterClass and use my code masterclass.com/EXCUSES for a great deal: https://MasterClass.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

PodParley-generated summary based on available episode metadata and transcript content.

NOW PLAYING

13.44: Alien Characters

0:00 18:36

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

Episode 62: Erica Wagner, Novelist and Literary Editor

May 6, 2026 ·32m

Episode 61: Lorraine Wilson, Speculative Fiction Author

Apr 1, 2026 ·28m

Episode 60: John Garrison Marks, Historian

Mar 4, 2026 ·28m

Episode 59: Brad Bigelow, Biographer

Feb 4, 2026 ·32m

Episode 58: Tessa Hulls, Pulitzer Prize Winning Graphic Artist & Memoirist

Jan 6, 2026 ·31m

Episode 57: Jonas Enander, Astrophysicist

Dec 3, 2025 ·29m

Similar Podcasts

The Ultraspeaking Podcast Tristan de Montebello, Michael Gendler The Ultraspeaking Podcast explores modern-day solutions to greater confidence, skill, and ease when speaking at work. Each episode features the founders, Tristan and Michael, as they detail unconventional strategies to thrive under pressure and speak with less preparation. Working on hand-gestures and eye contact is OUTDATED advice. Writing a script or creating a structure is a TRAP.It’s time for a better way. Join the Ultraspeaking movement and you’ll never look back. WW2 - the Key Questions, answered by Laurence Rees. Laurence Rees A former Head of BBC TV History programmes, Laurence has specialized in writing books and making television documentaries about World War Two, the Nazis and Stalinism for thirty years. He won a BAFTA and a Peabody for his TV series 'The Nazis: A Warning from History' and a British Book Award for his book on Auschwitz, which is also the world's best selling book on this notorious camp. His book 'the Holocaust: A New History' was described by the Times as 'exemplary' and by the Daily Telegraph as 'the best single volume account of the atrocity ever written'. Educated at Oxford University, for several years he was a visiting senior fellow at the London School of Economics, London University. He holds honorary doctorates from the University of Sheffield and the Open University. Professor Robert Service, of Oxford University, described Rees as 'one of the world's experts on the Second World War'. Sir Max Hastings wrote in the Sunday Times, in a review of Laurence Rees' 'World War Two: Behi Hot Copy Kate Toon & Belinda Weaver The Hot Copy podcast is a collaboration between seasoned copywriters Belinda Weaver and Kate Toon.Tune in for copywriting tips, shortcuts, writing resources, interviews and laughs. All focused on helping you become a better copywriter. The Writers' Show Geoff Hughes A podcast about writing, featuring interviews with authors and songwriters at all levels of success.Inspiring and successful authors reveal the secrets about writing, creativity and the business of independent publishing and songwriting.Featuring interviews with successful authors and songwriters excited to share the journey from idea to published book and song.Host Geoff Hughes is the founder of Madhouse Media PublishingMore info on the Writers Show Website

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Writing Excuses?

This episode is 18 minutes long.

When was this Writing Excuses episode published?

This episode was published on November 4, 2018.

What is this episode about?

Your Hosts: Brandon, Mary Robinette, Dan, and Howard As writers of speculative fiction we are frequently tasked with writing a species or race of alien people. In this episode we talk about some of the tricks we use to create non-human characters in...

Is there a transcript available for this episode?

Yes, a full transcript is available for this episode. You can read the complete transcript on the episode page.

Can I download this Writing Excuses episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!