21.09: Grounding The Reader

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

Grounding a reader starts in the very first lines of a story. Where are we? Who are we with? What kind of story are we in? Our hosts explore how emotion, context, and sensory detail work together to create immersion, and why action alone isn’t enough without an emotional lens. From relatable sensory cues to carefully chosen specifics, they break down how small details can anchor even the biggest explosions. When readers step into a story, we want them oriented, invested, and ready to follow. Homework: Take the opening of your work in progress and write out only the physical actions — what is happening and what the character is doing. Then annotate it with the emotions you want attached to each moment, and rewrite the scene integrating both action and emotion. Final WXR Cruise! Our final WXR cruise sets sail for Alaska in September 2026—get your tickets here! Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Erin Roberts, DongWon Song, and Mary Robinette Kowal. 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 Talkiatry and use my code talkiatry.com/WX for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com * Check out Talkiatry and use my code talkiatry.com/WX for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Mar 1, 2026

Embed this episode

Attribution link and audio player

Ready to play

21.09: Grounding The Reader

0:00 20:52

1×

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

No similar episodes found.

Similar Podcasts

Kurt Vonnegut: Reporter on the Afterlife Fountainhead Transmedia, Inc. Could death be a quality? A place? Not an ending, but an occurrence that changes those it happens to? In Kurt Vonnegut: Reporter on the Afterlife, Vonnegut skips back and forth between life and the Afterlife as if the difference between them were rather slight. In light hearted interviews with Sir Issac Newton, Adolf Hitler, Isaac Asimov, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, William Shakespeare, Joan of Arc, and Kilgore Trout, among others - Vonnegut trips down “the blue tunnel to the pearly gates” in the guise of a roving reporter for public radio, all the while dodging the crotchety bureaucrat, Saint Peter. Kurt Vonnegut: Reporter on the Afterlife, began in 1999 as a series of 90 Second interludes for WNYC, New York City’s public radio station. It has evolved over the past 25 years through writing and rewriting, into a fiction podcast adventure series - available everywhere you listen to pods. This provocat AI for Creative Professionals: Practical Tools for Designers, Writers & Marketers Tiana Ned AI for Creative Professionals: How to use AI tools without losing your creative edgeTiana shows creative professionals how to work with AI tools instead of competing against them. Each episode covers specific tools and techniques you can use right away.What you’ll learn:➤ Which AI tools actually help with design, writing, and marketing➤ How to write prompts that work➤ Ways to keep your personal style when using AI➤ Career moves that make sense as the industry changes➤ Real stories from creatives who adapted successfully➤ When AI helps and when you should do it yourselfPerfect for:➤ Designers, writers, marketers, video creators, UX professionals, photographers, podcasters, and anyone who makes things for a living.No abstract theory. Just practical steps you can take today.Tiana shares AI tools and techniques from her own freelance work. She tests everything herself before sharing what actually works.New episodes every week. Hit subscribe to keep your skills current.Topics: Copy That Converts - Entrepreneurs, Copywriting, Launch, Email Marketing, Conversion Megan Wisdom | Copywriter, Email Metrics Mentor, Marketing Strategist Are you a female entrepreneur with an online business who’s struggling to grow and nurture your audience? Do you feel like you’re not making enough sales, despite your best efforts? Do you feel confused by all the marketing jargon and just wish you had a bossy business big sister to shoot it to you straight?Hey, friend. I know you didn’t get into business to get bogged down by writing, but let’s face it, the internet is still powered by WORDS. The good news? You can harness the power of those words to connect with your ideal clients and make more sales through the magic of copywriting.In each episode, we’ll dive deep into the world of copywriting and marketing, sharing insights and strategies that will help you craft compelling messages that resonate with your audience. From understanding your ideal customer to mastering the art of storytelling, we’ll cover it all.I’m Megan Wisdom, a firstborn, Enneagram 5 copywriter who loves to help other female entrepreneurs reach their business

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Writing Excuses?

This episode is 20 minutes long.

When was this Writing Excuses episode published?

This episode was published on March 1, 2026.

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. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.

URL copied to clipboard!