The Writerly Bites Podcast

This week, you've got to write about what wakes you in the night, even if it's difficult. Reading recommendation: BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES 2024.

This week, a way to re-discover your novel, and plan for the future of completing it. Reading recommendation: THE HEAVEN AND EARTH GROCERY STORE, by James McBride.

This week, don't delay any longer. Send your friend a draft and get some feedback. Reading recommendation: ELEVEN HUSKIES by Philip Schott.

This week, make a plan for some special writing time. Tips and thoughts about building your own writing retreat. Reading recommendation: THE COMEDIANS, by Graham Greene.

This week, get your character to tell a story about themselves, and discover what's truly on their mind. Reading recommendation: REAL AMERICANS by Rachel Khong.

This week, find the person who is going to keep you to your writing and help you accomplish your goals. They're out there! Reading recommendation: WANDERING STARS by Tommy Orange.

This week, I catch up on my reading and pick my favorite reads of 2024. Please like and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts; it really helps the podcast grow.

This week, don't let the holiday season interfere with your most fundamental creative task. Reading recommendation: THE HUNTER, by Tana French.

Get back to the joy this week with your writing. Book recommendation: BEAR, by Julia Phillips

This week, find the threads of your story, pick them all up and weave them together. Book recommendation: NORTH WOODS, by Daniel Mason.

I'm back, writers! The Writerly Bites Podcast is resuming its weekly tips for making your writing life better, and I'm starting with the power of beginning again. Reading recommendation: THE GOD OF THE WOODS, Liz Moore.

Use an old riddle to ratchet up the conflict in your story this week. Book Recommendation: THE GUEST, Emma Cline.

This week, I'm talking about the wonderful, weird, magical re-boot that second person perspective can offer a story.

This week, the perils of third person. Every tool that gives you power and control is suspect. Please leave a review on Apple podcasts; it really helps the podcast grow.

This week, the power, beauty, and control of writing in the third person. Book recommendation: Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain.

Part of a mini-series about the joys and pitfalls of point of view. I'm talking about the dangers of first person perspective today. Please rate and review on Apple podcasts.

In this week's episode, I'm beginning a short series on choosing the right point of view for your story. Please leave a review on Apple podcasts; it really helps the podcast grow.

Writerly Bites is back and I'm thrilled to post this interview with novelist Rachel Cantor! Rachel Cantor is the author of the novels  Half-Life of a Stolen Sister  (Soho Press 2023),  Good on Paper (Melville House 2016), and  A Highly Unlikely Scenario  (Melville House 2014). Two dozen of her stories have been published in the Paris Review, One Story, Ninth Letter, Kenyon Review, New England...

I read the first page from the novel, and leave you with a writing tip for the week. Tune in for the regular return of the podcast in weeks to come.

For the last podcast episode of 2022, my favorite reads of the year. Happy holidays and see you in the new year, listeners!

Back after a hiatus, and I'm talking about the magic of showing up for yourself and your writing. Book recommendation: BLISS MONTAGE by Ling Ma.

This week, write about home: all the fraught feelings and complex associations of home. Book recommendation: CITY OF INCURABLE WOMEN, by Maud Casey.

Getting into the mood for halloween this week with tips for what makes ghost stories great — and why non-ghost stories can benefit from them. Book recommendation: THE LITTLE STRANGER by Sarah Waters.

Even stories that start with "Once Upon a Time" are playing with time in bold ways. Try some new ways to shake up time this week. Book recommendation: VERY COLD PEOPLE, by Sarah Manguso.

Try breaking all the rules of form and function in your story this week. Why not leave a review on Apple Podcasts? It really helps the podcast grow.