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Writing the Wrong Way with Jonathan Ball, PhD

by Writing the Wrong Way with Jonathan Ball, PhD

Writing the Wrong Way is the perfect podcast for serious writers who want to stand out in a crowded industry by becoming more productive while taking more artistic risks. Jonathan Ball is an award-winning author of dark, experimental artworks. He holds a PhD in creative writing and uses an analytical approach to show serious writers new ways to write, edit, and work so they can create innovative art that stands taller than the crowd. https://www.strangerfication.ca/

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Episodes

  1. Conor Mc Donnell on Letting the Reader Work

    Poet and pediatric anesthesiologist Conor Mc Donnell joins the podcast to talk about how he lets his readers do the work when it comes to his poetry. Mc Donnell discusses how he balances writing with a demanding medical career, why his long poem "What We Know So Far" grew out of news headlines…

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  2. Building Trust with the Reader in The Eye Collector

    In this solo episode of Writing the Wrong Way, Dr. Jonathan Ball talks about his writing decisions behind Image Comics’ The Eye Collector, focusing on how to build—and earn—reader trust during a strange, complex story. Using specific examples from the first three issues, Jonathan explores...

  3. Quick Notes on The Eye Collector and All Else

    Step into the strange orbit of The Eye Collector in this special off-the-cuff episode, recorded as Jonathan hurriedly packs for San Diego Comic-Con. He discusses how the new Image Comics series has been meticulously constructed to disorient you, invite your theories, and even risk pushing some...

  4. Writing Dragons with David Ly

    Poet and novelist David Ly joins the podcast to talk about his debut novel Not All Dragons, a “cozy fantasy” about an amnesiac boy, a mermaid, and a journey through the magical world of Lanelia. Jonathan and David discuss character-first fantasy, the anxieties of worldbuilding, and how poetry can...

  5. Steve Orlando on Writing Comics for Marvel and DC and Beyond

    Jonathan welcomes acclaimed comics writer and editor Steve Orlando to talk about what really makes a great Big Two writer. They get into finding a character’s “core wound,” balancing decades of lore with a fresh take, managing dense event books without boring readers, and the real job of editors...

  6. David Jón Fuller on Bringing the Theatre into the Novel While Writing VENUE 13

    In this episode of Writing the Wrong Way, Dr. Jonathan Ball talks with novelist and actor David Jón Fuller about his new book Venue 13 (Turnstone Press), a haunted-theatre novel set in Winnipeg’s summer festival scene. They discuss how David built the book like a five‑act play, blending prose,...

  7. Books as Anti-Social Media with MC Joudrey

    Jonathan welcomes publisher–author MC Joudrey to talk about Marmalade Parade, his experimental new novel from Guernica Editions. They dig into the realities of running an independent press, why Joudrey chose not to publish this book through his own At Bay Press, and the shifting landscape of…

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  8. Lyndon Radchenka and Steven Kaul on Kickstarting the Laundrymen 2 Comic Book

    Jonathan welcomes back comic collaborators Lyndon Radchenka and Steven Kaul to talk about their newest book - The Laundrymen 2: Blood of the Saucermen, which is still available through Kickstarter until March 2, 2026: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/radchenka/the-laundrymen-books-1-2/rewards...

  9. Antonio Michael Downing on the Art of the Novel and Sensuality in Prose

    Jonathan welcomes author Antonio Michael Downing to talk about his latest novel Black Cherokee and about how his writing career evolved from a love of music. Find more of Downing's work at https://www.antoniomichaeldowning.com/ Join Jonathan's Patreon page for free at...

  10. Tom Miller on Taking Creative Risks and How All Poets Suck But Him

    Jonathan welcomes poet Tom Miller to the podcast to talk about his latest book, All Poets Suck But Me: Why Am I Sad, and about poetry's evolving place within the larger media landscape. Join Jonathan's Patreon page for free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠staystrange.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to the Stranger Fiction...

  11. 13 Books for Creative Writers

    Jonathan recommends 13 books from a wide variety of authors to help you find success as a creative writer. Join Jonathan's Patreon page for free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠staystrange.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to the Stranger Fiction YouTube channel at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠strangertv.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Purchase books & comics...

  12. Are You Serial Right Now - Talking Comics with Lyndon Radchenka

    Jonathan welcomes back DC Comics writer Lyndon Radchenka to talk about the difference between serialized and episodic stories. Check out Lyndon's work at https://www.infinitestudio.ca/ Join Jonathan's Patreon page for free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠staystrange.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to the Stranger Fiction...

  13. Is Ryan Fitzpatrick Country Enough for Morgan Wallen? (Poetry Claps Back)

    Jonathan welcomes back poet Ryan Fitzpatrick to talk about his new country music-inspired book of poetry, No Depression in Heaven. Pick up your copy of Ryan's new book the usual way. Join Jonathan's Patreon page for free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠staystrange.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to the Stranger Fiction…

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  14. Giving the Reader What They Want

    Jonathan talks about managing your audience's expectations by knowing what they will likely expect based on the type of story you're writing. Join Jonathan's Patreon page for free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠staystrange.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to the Stranger Fiction YouTube channel at…

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  15. The Desert of the Second Act - Meathouse Update

    Jonathan welcomes back podcast producer and aspiring screenwriter Dan Vadeboncoeur to talk about his ongoing Meathouse screenplay and dive into the "messy middle" of the screenwriting process. Join Jonathan's Patreon page for free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠staystrange.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to the Stranger Fiction...

  16. Writing an Immortal Poem - Christian Bok on Creating the Xenotext

    Jonathan welcomes back poet Christian Bok to talk about his ongoing project, The Xenotext. It's a poem coded into the genome of a deathless bacterium, thereby creating a text durable enough to outlive any apocalypse. Join Jonathan's Patreon page for free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠staystrange.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe…

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  17. Sky Devil and the Haunted Air

    Jonathan welcomes frequent collaborators GMB Chomichuk and Lyndon Radchencka to talk about the latest Stranger Fiction release, Sky Devil and the Haunted Air, soon to be available on Kickstarter at kickstrange.com. Join Jonathan's Patreon page for free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠staystrange.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to…

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  18. Inside the Making of the Last Breeds Comics Novel (Part 2 of 2)

    Jonathan concludes his talk about how he collaborated as a team with fellow writer Matthew Medney and artists Scott B. Henderson and GMB Chomichuk to create ⁠Last Breeds⁠, a comics novel starring an "asshole Tarzan" in a post-apocalyptic landscape. Pick up your copy of Last Breeds at McNally...

  19. Inside the Making of the Last Breeds Comics Novel (Part 1 of 2)

    Jonathan talks about how he collaborated as a team with fellow writer Matthew Medney and artists Scott B. Henderson and GMB Chomichuk to create Last Breeds, a comics novel starring an "asshole Tarzan" in a post-apocalyptic landscape. Pick up your copy of Last Breeds at McNally Robinson…

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  20. Matthew Medney on Creating Gungnir Books

    Jonathan welcomes back writer Matthew Medney to talk about the last few years of his career, how he came to run the long-beloved Heavy Metal imprint, and starting his new publishing company, Gungnir Books. Join Jonathan's Patreon page for free at ⁠⁠staystrange.ca⁠⁠. Subscribe to the Stranger...

  21. Breaking into DC Comics as a Writer with Lyndon Radchenka

    Jonathan welcomes back indie comic creator Lyndon Radchenka to talk about his new gig writing for DC Comics: how he got it, what he had to write, and what he's going to do now to follow it up. Ask your local comic store to order copies of DC's Zatannic Panic, featuring Lyndon's story:...

  22. Back in the Saddle of Evil

    Jonathan returns to the podcast after a hiatus to discuss his publishing company Stranger Fiction: what it is, what it does, and what you can expect from it in the years to come. Join Jonathan's Patreon page for free at staystrange.ca. Subscribe to the Stranger Fiction YouTube channel at...

  23. Breaking out of the Pandemic Funk with "Fearless" Fred Kennedy

    Jonathan welcomes “Fearless” Fred Kennedy to talk about his Image comic Dead Romans and how he dug out of his pandemic-induced creative funk. Pick up the latest copy of Dead Romans here: https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/dead-romans For more of Jonathan's work:...

  24. Self-Employment and Isolation with Elena Sturk-Lussier

    Jonathan welcomes Uniter columnist Elena Sturk-Lussier to talk about their recent piece on the isolation of self-employment and freelance work. Read more of Elena's columns: https://uniter.ca/author/elena-sturk-lussier For more of Jonathan's work:...

  25. How to stay motivated with GMB Chomichuk and Lyndon Radchenka

    Jonathan welcomes studio-mates Gregory and Lyndon to talk about how they stay motivated to continue creating when the work is not progressing well. For more of Jonathan's work: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

  26. Exposing yourself to feedback with Justin Currie and Lyndon Radchenka

    Jonathan welcomes Justin Currie, a.k.a. Chasing Artwork, and Lyndon "The Letterer" Radchenka to talk about the risk and reward of building yourself a reliable feedback loop in your writing. For more of Jonathan's work: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

  27. Tara Cole-McCaffrey on Developing Your Style

    Jonathan welcomes professional stylist Tara Cole-McCaffrey to talk about how to create your own personal writing style. You can see more of Tara's style at https://patronofdreams.com/ For more of Jonathan's work: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

  28. On shooting an independent horror movie

    Jonathan welcomes friend and frequent collaborator GMB Chomichuk to share his thoughts on the indie filmmaking process immediately after they wrapped production on The Princess and the Dragon, a terrifying horror take coming soon to a screen near you! For more of GMB Chomichuk's work:...

  29. How to Be a Hero by Making Comics with Lyndon Radchenka and ZM Schuster

    Jonathan welcomes comic co-creators Lyndon Radchenka and Zach Schuster to talk about their upcoming Hero-Man, and their recent trip to France to promote the book at an international comics festival. You can pre-order Hero-Man now: https://a.co/d/geG2Bs0 For more of Jonathan's work:...

  30. Staying on track with your screenwriting

    Jonathan welcomes in his podcast producer Dan to talk about his "Meathouse" screenwriting project and about how to stay motivated and keep writing in the face of adversity. For more of Jonathan's work: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

  31. Doni on Writing an Afrofuturist Manga

    Jonathan welcomes Doni, the creative force behind The Aperios World Project, to talk about Afrofuturism and its depiction in the modern media landscape. For more of Jonathan's work: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

  32. Too Many Cooks is a crash course in postmodern art

    Jonathan talks about the viral video Too Many Cooks, and its multilayered look at the distortion of our reality. Watch Too Many Cooks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrGrOK8oZG8 For more of Jonathan's work: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

  33. Is Shakespeare an experimental writer? Sonnet 130

    Jonathan discusses William Shakespeare's Sonnet 130, which he considers an experimental poem from the most well-known writer in western civilization. For more of Jonathan's work: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

  34. Doctor Moreau vs Slavoj Zizek

    Jonathan dives into the classic H.G. Wells novel The Island of Dr. Moreau and compares it's animals vs. human conflict to the philosophies of Dr. Slavoj Zizek. For more of Jonathan's work: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

  35. Who haunts Hill House? (Part 2)

    Jonathan continues his breakdown of Shirley Jackson's 1959 gothic horror novel The Haunting of Hill House. For more of Jonathan's work: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jonathanballcom/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.strangerfiction.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠

  36. Did Shirley Jackson write the perfect novel? The Haunting of Hill House

    Jonathan discusses Shirley Jackson's 1959 gothic horror novel The Haunting of Hill House. For more of Jonathan's work: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jonathanballcom/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.strangerfiction.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠

  37. David Lynch's Lost Highway contains a perfect scene that writers should study

    Jonathan discusses a specific scene from David Lynch's Lost Highway (1997), which he says is one of the most perfect scenes ever created in film. Watch the scene here first: https://youtu.be/gzoe2_Hlz7Y?si=bAZWa8ofxJ_MFWvr For more of Jonathan's work:...

  38. Is Ursula K. Le Guin the best science fiction writer in Omelas?

    Jonathan discusses one of the best writers the genre of science fiction has ever seen, Ursula K. Le Guin, beloved the world over for her sci-fi-centred Hainish universe, and Earthsea fantasy series. Specifically, Jonathan talks about Le Guin's 1973 short work of philosophical fiction, "The Ones…

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  39. What do Sigourney Weaver, Star Trek, and Alan Rickman have in common? Galaxy Quest!

    Jonathan breaks down the 1999 Star Trek spoof Galaxy Quest, directed by Dean Parisot and written by David Howard and Robert Gordon. It's a clever take on what was at that point a tired franchise. For more of Jonathan's work: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

  40. Has Christopher Nolan done his own Inception to convince me he is Hitchcock?

    Jonathan breaks down Christopher Nolan's Inception (2010), how it externalizes an internal conflict, and works so well structurally. Truly a masterpiece of Hitchcockian proportions. For more of Jonathan's work: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

  41. Who is the real Parasite in this smash Korean film?

    Jonathan discusses the 2019 Academy Award-winning Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-ho, who co-wrote the screenplay with Han Jin-won. A dark comedy from South Korea that does everything right as far as screenwriting goes, and many other things as well. For more of Jonathan's work:...

  42. Is Seth Rogen just using James Franco? The genius of Pineapple Express

    Jonathan talks about the 2008 hit comedy Pineapple Express, written by Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg. For more of Jonathan's work: ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jonathanballcom/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.strangerfiction.ca/⁠⁠

  43. Thanos versus The Alien! Screenwriter Dan O'Bannon and Dynamic Story Structure

    Jonathan talks about Dan O'Bannon's Guide to Screenplay Structure, a book on screenwriting from the writer of Alien, Total Recall, and Lifeforce. Pick up Dan O'Bannon's book here: https://www.amazon.ca/Dan-OBannons-Guide-Screenplay-Structure/dp/B00F6IZHHC For more of Jonathan's work:...

  44. Robert Eggers made a deal with the devil to write The Witch — and so can you!

    Jonathan discusses his thoughts on the 2015 horror film The Witch, written and directed by Robert Eggers. Watch The Witch (2015): https://youtu.be/iQXmlf3Sefg?si=cbW0wG4hplEtRfAm For more of Jonathan's work: ⁠https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jonathanballcom/⁠...

  45. Creating a shared world with GMB Chomichuk and Chadwick Ginther

    Jonathan welcomes frequent writing collaborators GMB Chomichuk and Chadwick Ginther on the show to talk about their upcoming project Shared World, which launches Nov. 29, 2023: https://www.facebook.com/events/1011277780184918/?ti=ls For more of Jonathan's work: https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom...

  46. Adam Sandler's terrible movie Jack and Jill can make you a better writer

    Jonathan analyzes the 2011 Adam Sandler film Jack and Jill, in which Sandler plays two characters, a twin brother and sister: https://youtu.be/YyK_CTdrFyw?si=d_ELeIVWjhKcaWT_ According to Jonathan, it's actually a well-constructed character journey hidden inside a hot mess of a film. For more of...

  47. What do you want? (Part 2)

    Jonathan continues to answer questions from a former student about how to become the professional writer they want to be. For more of Jonathan's work: https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom https://www.instagram.com/jonathanballcom/ https://www.strangerfiction.ca/

  48. What do you want? (Part 1)

    Jonathan answers a student's questions about writing, how to make good writing decisions, and how to be a more consistent, collaborative writer. For more of Jonathan's work: https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom https://www.instagram.com/jonathanballcom/ https://www.strangerfiction.ca/

  49. How to become a REAL writer

    Jonathan answers a listener question about how to begin the writing process, and from that answers the larger question of “How do I become a REAL writer?” or how to create consistently good written content on a regular basis. For more of Jonathan's work: https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom...

  50. UCalgary Keynote on Horror Stories and The Eye Collector

    Jonathan gives a keynote address to students at the University of Calgary about creating The Eye Collector, and how he wrote it the wrong way. For more of Jonathan's work: https://twitter.com/jonathanballcom https://www.instagram.com/jonathanballcom/ https://www.strangerfiction.ca/

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Writing the Wrong Way is the perfect podcast for serious writers who want to stand out in a crowded industry by becoming more productive while taking more artistic risks. Jonathan Ball is an award-winning author of dark, experimental artworks. He holds a PhD in creative writing and uses an analytical approach to show serious writers new ways to write, edit, and work so they can create innovative art that stands taller than the crowd. https://www.strangerfication.ca/

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Writing the Wrong Way with Jonathan Ball, PhD

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arts

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Writing the Wrong Way with Jonathan Ball, PhD have?

Writing the Wrong Way with Jonathan Ball, PhD currently has 187 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Writing the Wrong Way with Jonathan Ball, PhD about?

Writing the Wrong Way is the perfect podcast for serious writers who want to stand out in a crowded industry by becoming more productive while taking more artistic risks. Jonathan Ball is an award-winning author of dark, experimental artworks. He holds a PhD in creative writing and uses an...

How often does Writing the Wrong Way with Jonathan Ball, PhD release new episodes?

Writing the Wrong Way with Jonathan Ball, PhD publishes regularly with 187 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

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Who hosts Writing the Wrong Way with Jonathan Ball, PhD?

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