For this installment in the Writer’s Toolbox, I wanted to share a resource that has helped motivate me to write when I struggled with the desire to keep going.

Since 2008, the Hugo winning podcast, Writing Excuses, has been putting out weekly episodes to help instruct, inspire, and motivate writers. Howard Tayler, Dan Wells, Mary Robinette Kowal, and Brandon Sanderson host the podcast with a myriad of special guests that offer wonderful insights. The episodes don’t run too terribly long (the tagline is “Fifteen minutes long, because you’re in a hurry, and we’re not that smart”), so it’s easy to play one in between tasks, or if you’re like me, binge an entire season in a week or two. Right now, Writing Excuses is in its 16^th season, so there are quite a few episodes to catch up on. If that seems daunting, feel free to jump in and listen to awesome episodes like 5.19: Fulfilling Promises to Your Readers, 10.23: Can You Tell Me How To Show?, 12.14: Controlling Pacing with Structure, and 13.20: Fear and Writing, with Emma Newman.

Another option is to start with seasons 10, 11, 12, and 13. I suggest this because at that point, Writing Excuses decided to theme each of the seasons around a specific topic. Season 10 is designed to flow like a long masterclass, 11 is organized into episodes focusing on a specific genre of writing, season 12 tackles the topic of structure in writing, and 13 is all about character.

I’m certain it isn’t just me, but I find that listening to others talk about their work or writing in general serves as a wonderful pick-me-up. Not only that, I feel that it was extremely timely last year when meeting in writing groups wasn’t feasible. Check it out if you need that little extra push to get those words out or if you have any questions related to writing or the world around the craft.

Thanks for stopping by!