PODCAST · education
The Every Day Novelist
by J. Daniel Sawyer
The Every Day Novelist delivers a new 3 to 30 minute episode each day discussing writing craft, discipline, publishing, and business, all geared toward helping you achieve a professional pace (four to twelve or more novels in one year) in your writing. The direction of the show is steered by your questions, ideas, and disagreements.
Episodes
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Question 1122 How does the Homestead Affect Writing?
Joe asks:How has living on a homestead affected your writing life? If you had to do it over again, what would you do differently? The post Question 1122 How does the Homestead Affect Writing? appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Question 1121: Sacred ideas and Adapting from Screenplays
Brad asks: Do you ever collaborate or bounce ideas with other authors? And any advice on writing a screenplay first, then adapting the story into a novel? Down From TenAnd Then She Was Gone The post Question 1121: Sacred ideas and Adapting from Screenplays appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Question 1120: What is a play?
Caine asks: What is a play? Not the mechanics of how documents are formatted or anything like that, but what Plays are, what they aren’t, and why people would write one. www.storybundle.com/steampunk The post Question 1120: What is a play? appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Questions 1119: Filling Up the Corners
Roland asks:I want to write short stories to give my readers an extra taste of my characters and side characters, but my mind goes blank trying to come up with a story. I imagine scenes and situations all the time, but they don’t feel very standalone. I also have lots … The post Questions 1119:...
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Question 1118: Preventing Author Avatars
Herb asks: A while back on Twitter you said you give every protagonist a feature you hate and even antagonist one you admire to prevent creating characters who are just your avatar in the story. What is your process for inserting them transparently and selecting the traits? What are some … The…
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Question 1117: Why Have Sequels Gone Out of Fashion?
Roland asksI love Star Wars, but in the most narrow way. Episodes IV-VI and a few other things are pretty cool. But, I want new stories, not dozens of prequel movies and series. Why are they afraid to go forward vs living in the Star Wars past? It’s not just … The post Question 1117: Why Have...
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Question 1116: Is it a Prequel, or Just Book One?
Roland asks: A lot of authors say they’re writing a prequel (as a lead magnet) when they haven’t published, or even finished, Book 1 yet. I know what they mean, but if they release ‘the prequel’ first, then isn’t that just Book 1 and not actually a prequel? The HobbitThe … The post Question 1116:...
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Question 1115: Why Are People Writing Prequels?
Roland asks: Indie authors are obsessed with prequels to their Book Ones but I don’t get it. I almost never want to know MORE about what happened before Book 1. Why have prequels become such a thing these days? Star Wars Prequel TrilogyStar Trek VJob (the Bible)Clash of the Titans … The post...
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Feedback: The Bradbury Challenge
Listener Ian has a progress report on doing the Bradbury Challenge for NanoWriMo The post Feedback: The Bradbury Challenge appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Questions 1114: Developing a Young Character
Jim asks:Previously I mentioned I had a character who was 10 years old in a first book in a series. I had used him as a reader proxy, who gets into a little trouble but isn’t really a protagonist. How do I take a character who is now 15, grow … The post Questions 1114: Developing a Young…
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Question 1113: Troubles Finishing
Pablo asks: I have been struggling with a manuscript for a novel since 2015. I begin, stop, give up, take it up again, and all the time it keeps evolving in my head. Now it’s an unfinished chaotic first draft, only 38 pages so far. I’d like to be done … The post Question 1113: Troubles Finishing...
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Question 1112: Products of NaNoWriMo
Khellan asks:What happens to the stuff you and Kitty write during nanowrimo? Lost Days, Last Nights The post Question 1112: Products of NaNoWriMo appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Question 1111: Tough Truths About Loving Writing
Jim asks:I may have asked something like this before, but how does one rekindle the enjoyment of writing? It used to be a thing I did to avoid doing things I didn’t want to do, like finding time in the middle of the work day to sneak in some words, … The post Question 1111: Tough Truths About...
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Question 1110: Breaking Faith With Readers
Ed asks:What does it mean for an author to “break faith” with his readers? The Wheel of Time by Robert JordanPoodle Springs by Raymond Chandler and Robert B ParkerVariable Star by Robert A Heinlein and Spider RobinsonThe SilmarillionThe Game of ThronesWriting Excuses podcastA Subversive…
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Question 1109: Writing the Right Sequel
Jim said:In my last question I talked about re-discovering the sequel I was supposed to be writing after spending 95,000 words on the wrong idea. As I approached the writing of the appropriate sequel, I bogged down early. I think I’ve figured out that the problem was not understanding the … The...
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Question 1108: Writing the Wrong Novel
Jim asks:A little while back I dove into a sequel featuring my protagonist about fifteen years down the road. It was a big time jump, one I was ready for in the character, but so much more would have occurred, and so much left undone that it was the wrong … The post Question 1108: Writing the…
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Question 1107: Film vs. Book: Characterization in Lord of the Rings
Indiana Jim:A couple years ago you did an epic twitter thread on what the Lord of the Rings films got wrong. Could you do an episode on this topic so we can learn how to avoid these pitfalls in characterization? Original twitter thread We Need To Talk About FrodoLord of … The post Question 1107:...
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Where The Hell Have We Been?
A guide to surgery for writers and an update from the hosts. Healthy Living Can Be Deadly The Secrets of the Heinlein Juvenile The post Where The Hell Have We Been? appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Quick Announcement
Quick show announcement – we will be back Monday. The post Quick Announcement appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Question 1106: Creativity and ADD
Jim asks: You’ve spoken before about how ADD and its derivatives can be a boon to the creative person, and the dangers of medicating it out. What are some ways the writer can manage the symptoms while appreciating the benefits? The post Question 1106: Creativity and ADD appeared first on The…
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Question 1105: Changing the Way You Listen
Today we have feedback from Khellan on changing the way you listen and getting out of your own way. archivos The post Question 1105: Changing the Way You Listen appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Question 1104: Building Life Experience
Joe asks: Lots of young people want to be writers, but don’t have enough life experience to write anything interesting. What ways do you recommend to gain that sort of life experience? Meditations by Marcus AureliusThe Bed of Procrustes by Nassim Nicholas TalebThe Notebooks of Lazarus LongCity...
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Questions 1103: Cannell’s Secret Sauce
Indiana Jim asks: Stephen J. Cannell produced some of the best television shows ever, and I know you’re an aficionado. What was his secret sauce for engaging and enduring episodic storytelling? WiseguyRockford FilesThe A TeamSilk StalkingsThe Commish The post Questions 1103: Cannell’s Secret…
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Catch-up & Announcements
A handful of announcements, or what we’ve been up to. The Write Stuff50 by 50 ChallengeLost Days, Last Nights announcement postThe Shoes I Wore This Morning, a sample of the Lost Days collectionUnfolding the World substackAnd Then She Was Gone The post Catch-up & Announcements appeared first on…
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Question 1102: Reading as a Writer
Joe asks:I’ve been enjoying these short q&a podcasts! Here’s a question for your next one: what is your take on reading as a writer? Do you believe it’s important to read widely in the genre you write, or to avoid your genre and read widely in everything else? I’ve heard … The post Question 1102:...
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Question 1101: Pacing in Action-Adventure
Tim asks: What’re your opinions on pacing an Action-adventure novel? How much action is actually necessary? King Solomon’s Mines by H. Rider HaggardSahara by Clive CusslerIndiana JonesRomancing the StoneThe Killing Floor by Lee ChildJurrassic Park (film)Congo (film)The Lost World by DoyleThe…
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Question 1100: Finding Public Domain Books
Where/how do you go to track down and read those books out of copyright? You mentioned King Solomon’s Mine recently and I’d love to get a copy of that on my ereader if there’s a free resource to grab it. Notes:Archive.orgSFFaudio.orgLibriVox The post Question 1100: Finding Public Domain Books...
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Question 1099: Measuring Yourself as a Writer
Caine asks:In a self evaluation of our own skill sets/aptitudes as a writer, what identifiers should exist that would indicate we have developed into a substantial professional writer? How do we know that we have what we need skills wise? What should we be able to do? What should we … The post...
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Question 1098: Getting Back In The Mood
Khellan asks:I’ve recently started carving out some “guaranteed” time to write fiction 3 times a week. It’s been a long time. Do you have any tools or tricks to get you back in the particular headspace or mood for the specific story you’re working on, or have you ingrained the … The post Question...
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Question 1097: We Need a Punctuation Master Class
Khellen asks:You mentioned punctuation and that stuff in another episode… Do you have enough to create a mini ebook with that stuff in? It is 123.6% worthwhile, because I forget and have to find a couple of books to figure out the rules! Sponsored by Archivos The post Question 1097: We Need a...
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Question 1096: How To Write a Worstseller
Joe asks:Lots of people have opinions about how to write a bestseller. What are some of the more interesting and counter intuitive ways to write a book that never sells at all? Sponsored by Archivos The post Question 1096: How To Write a Worstseller appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Question 1095: Dictation and Twisty Plots
Tim asks:I’ve noticed dictation results in a more twisty story than typing, at least for me. I guess I’m curious if there are any techniques you use that alter the kind of story that results? Resources Mentioned:The Clarke Lantham MysteriesJ. Daniel Sawyer Fiction Podcast The post Question 1095:...
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Question 1093: Mentally Tough Characters
Tim asks:Grit. How do you express a character’s mental toughness whether they’re a Point of View character or not? Resources mentioned:The Gulag ArchipelagoWitnessTakenJohn Wick Sponsored by Archivos The post Question 1093: Mentally Tough Characters appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Question 1092: Destructive Writing Advice
Joe asks:What writing advice would have totally tanked you as a writer if you hadn’t ignored it? Resources Mentioned:The Collected Poems of Emily DickensonThe Best of Hemingway The post Question 1092: Destructive Writing Advice appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Question 1091: Individual Characters or Chessmen?
Tim asks:Do you see your characters more like real people or more like toys with all manner of features to employ in the narrative? Resources mentioned: On Fairy-Stories by JRR TolkienLast Days of Socrates by PlatoBiblical Book of JobCollected Classic Novels of HG WellsDavid Mamet Masterclass The...
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Question 1090: Creative Partnerships
Ed asks:Can you riff on creative partnerships, particularly long term? What makes them succeed? What makes them fail? How does one find a creative partner? And how does one adapt or change when a creative partnership ends? Resources Mentioned:The Expanse by James S.A. CoreyThe Man Who Wrote...
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Question 1089: Creating Effective Antagonists
Khellen asks:My antagonist hasn’t shown up halfway through the book and I’m not sure what to do. How do you build an effective antagonist for your stories? Resources Mentioned: Suave Rob’s Awesome Adventures by J. Daniel SawyerThe Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Sponsored by Archivos The post...
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Question 1088: Writing Implements
Dawn asks: Which is best for writing: typing, longhand, or dictation? Why? Sponsored by Archivos The post Question 1088: Writing Implements appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Question 1087: Expanding a Short Story Into a Novel
Nichole asks:I’m having trouble expanding my short story into a novel. Can you give some techniques and examples? Resources: Predestination and Other Games of Chance (full cast audio podcast by J. Daniel Sawyer) Nightfall by Isaac Asimov novel, short story The post Question 1087: Expanding a…
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Questions 1086: Networking for Writers
Dawn asks:How should a lonely writer go about networking with other writers? The post Questions 1086: Networking for Writers appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Question 1085: Showing Narrator Gender in First Person
Nichole asks: How does one show the gender of a first person narrator? Resources: I, Claudius by Robert Graves Sponsored by Archivos The post Question 1085: Showing Narrator Gender in First Person appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Question 1084: What Motivates a Writer?
Tim asks:What makes you (and other listeners) want to tell stories? Resources: Splinter of the Mind’s Eye by Alan Dean Foster Sponsored by Archivos The post Question 1084: What Motivates a Writer? appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Question 1083: Vacations for Freelancers
Dawn asks:How do freelancers deal with breaks and vacations? Sponsored by Suave Rob’s Awesome Adventures! The post Question 1083: Vacations for Freelancers appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Question 1082: When Not to Write
Dawn asks: Is there ever a time in one’s life when you shouldn’t start writing? Sponsor: Suave Rob’s Awesome Adventures The post Question 1082: When Not to Write appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Question 1081: Edible Plants
Nichole asks: So what’s the skinny on all the edible plants up there on your homestead? Resources mentioned:Monty Python and the Holy Grail The post Question 1081: Edible Plants appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Question 1080: Work-Life Balance
Alexis asks: I always feel behind. What kind of advice do you have for work-life balance for freelancers? The post Question 1080: Work-Life Balance appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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We’re BACK! Question 1079: Fear of Writing
We’re back after far too long an absence. In this episode you will find a feeble justification for our delinquency, as well as a brand new sparkling question from Dawn. Dawn asks: How do you get around a fear of writing? Sponsored by Archivos The post We’re BACK! Question 1079: Fear of Writing...
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Question 1078: Sustaining an Unplanned Series
Tim asks:How can I keep the momentum going in a series that I haven’t planned out from the beginning? Resources Mentioned:Splinter of the Mind’s Eye by Alan Dean Foster The post Question 1078: Sustaining an Unplanned Series appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Question 1077: AI and the Politics of the Future
Ed asks:Will AI push our world in a more libertarian or totalitarian direction? The post Question 1077: AI and the Politics of the Future appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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Question 1076: The Most Fun Story to Write
Tim asks:Which of your stories was the most fun to write? Resources mentioned:Suave Rob’s Double-X Derring-DoSuave Rob’s Rough’N’Ready Rugrat RaptureChicken Noodle GravityFuneral Hats The post Question 1076: The Most Fun Story to Write appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Every Day Novelist delivers a new 3 to 30 minute episode each day discussing writing craft, discipline, publishing, and business, all geared toward helping you achieve a professional pace (four to twelve or more novels in one year) in your writing. The direction of the show is steered by your questions, ideas, and disagreements.
HOSTED BY
J. Daniel Sawyer
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Every Day Novelist have?
The Every Day Novelist currently has 300 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Every Day Novelist about?
The Every Day Novelist delivers a new 3 to 30 minute episode each day discussing writing craft, discipline, publishing, and business, all geared toward helping you achieve a professional pace (four to twelve or more novels in one year) in your writing. The direction of the show is steered by your...
How often does The Every Day Novelist release new episodes?
The Every Day Novelist publishes regularly with 300 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Every Day Novelist?
You can listen to The Every Day Novelist on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Every Day Novelist?
The Every Day Novelist is created and hosted by J. Daniel Sawyer.
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