
Writing Excuses
Mary Robinette Kowal et al
Four writers deconstructing storytelling techniques, one aspect at a time.
Why we picked this
We picked Writing Excuses because it treats creative writing as a craft built on mechanics rather than magic. The hosts spend their time taking apart the machinery of storytelling. They focus on tools over rules. They examine pacing, narrative distance, and sensory details without resorting to vague encouragement. Each brief session breaks down a specific technical problem and offers a functional way to fix it on the page. Subscribe to the feed if you want practical vocabulary for your own drafts.
Recent episodes

21.36: Twists: How to Make the Unexpected Feel Inevitable
Sep 6, 202623 min

21.35: The Four Acts of Kishōtenketsu
Aug 30, 202621 min

21.34: Knowing the Distance
Aug 23, 202623 min

21.33: When To Shift Gears
Aug 16, 202622 min

21.32: Barrier Breaking- Time Constraints
Aug 9, 202627 min

21.31: Deconstructing Save the Cat
Aug 2, 202627 min

21.30: Chapter Breaks Soon
Jul 26, 202627 min

21.29: How to Make a Scene
Jul 19, 202628 min

21.28: Narrative Transitions
Jul 12, 202626 min

21.27: The Expository Throttle
Jul 5, 202620 min

21.26: Setting the Pace
Jun 28, 202624 min

21.25: Follow the Bouncing Ball
Jun 21, 202625 min
Related shows

The Theatre History Podcast
Scholars and artists reconstruct lost performances to map how theatrical traditions shape current stage practice.
Tape Notes
John Kennedy dissects modern studio sessions with the artists and producers who built them, isolating original stems and raw demos.
You'll Hear It: Full Album Deep Dives with Jazz Musicians
Two jazz pianists breaking down classic albums track by track at the keys, playing isolated stems to show how the harmony actually works.
Play Guitar Podcast
Thirty-year teaching veteran breaking down fretboard mechanics, scale patterns, and solo phrasing for stuck guitarists.