The podcast that gives you quick tips to make your writing and your writing life better.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/30/17/8dc22ba4-d352-42e9-ab46-dce948731c48_wb_episode_137.mp3

This week, consider the power of wanting.Reading recommendation: THE BOOK OF RECORDS, Madeleine Thien.

137: What Do Your Characters Want? Really?

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/23/13/171a800c-c843-4b45-a89e-ae5857066cc4_wb_episode_136.mp3

This week, be a student again and challenge yourself to build a new skill in your writing.Reading recommendation: THE HALF LIFE, Rachel Beanland.

136: Back to School, Back to Cool

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/16/18/ab927405-a74b-41e8-97c9-df225a35c19a_wb_episode_135.mp3

Writerly Bites is back with advice on how to set the stage for luck.

135: Don't Wait for Good Luck

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/5/28/17/599ae648-4ab5-49a1-a35c-366a82dfd0f4_wb_episode_134.mp3

This week, think about what makes you accept or reject the invitation of the first page.Reading rec: BAD ASIANS, by Lillian Li.

134: What Makes You Reject a First Page?

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/5/13/15/d2105176-f879-4287-b092-df11d7e4fd1d_wb_episode_133.mp3

This week, it&#39;s time for your novel to get some self-care.Reading recommendation: THE KEEPER by Tana French.

133: 5 Nice Little Things You Can Do for Your Novel

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/5/7/15/cd9de872-0708-44c3-9820-59e1842b280f_wb_episode_132.mp3

This week, we&#39;re flipping the script on who gets to be the hero of your story.Reading recommendation: TOKYO EXPRESS by Seicho Matsumoto.

132: Let an unlikely hero have their day

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/4/29/14/4a9b38d3-fc9a-469b-b759-31625d9fbcef_wb_episode_131.mp3

This week, make your story&#39;s problems personal for your characters.Reading recommendation: THE COLONY by Annika Norlin.

131: Make it Personal

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/4/22/13/a6016df9-37ce-4d4a-b6e1-149a51303fd3_wb_episode_130.mp3

This week, remembering what you love and why you write.Reading recommendation: THE TRANSIT OF VENUS, by Shirley Hazzard.

130: Only Write it if You Love It

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This week, flip the script on power in your scene.Reading recommendation: THE RED GROVE, by Tessa Fontaine.

129: Reconsider what Power Means

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This week, a bold prescription for a common problem.Reading recommendation: STONE YARD DEVOTIONAL, by Charlotte Wood.

128: Cut the first half of what you write

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/4/3/13/2c11f8d0-fc4a-42c2-a7a3-5d43bb1a600d_wb_episode_127.mp3

This week, put on your deerstalker hat and be a detective for your story. Reading rec: THE TEN-YEAR AFFAIR, by Erin Somers.

127: Be a Detective for a Day

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/2/25/16/ccd2ce8f-ca9b-450d-9f87-28176e896ca6_wb_episode_126.mp3

This week, we&#39;re going with our gut.Book recommendation: A GUARDIAN AND A THIEF, by Megha Majumdar.

126: Trust Your Story Instincts

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This week, try printing out your story in a different way, and you&#39;ll be amazed by what magic can happen.Reading rec: A Guardian and a Thief, Megha Majumdar

125: Print Your Story Out Differently, and Something Magic Happens

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/2/12/18/19dfdbbe-fbcf-419c-a3ee-2b98b29c10b0_wb_episode_124.mp3

This week, talking about the power of staying in place and riding out the creative challenge.Book recommendation: HAMNET, by Maggie O&#39;Farrell.

124: Put Your Butt in the Chair

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We&#39;re talking about endings this week — and how most writers tend to charge past where their story&#39;s natural ending truly lies.Reading rec: BOG QUEEN, by Anna North.

123: Most Writers Write Past Their True Ending

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This week, we&#39;re discussing whether Lorrie Moore was right when she said &#34;life will disappoint you&#34; is the theme of all great literature.Reading rec: ALL THINGS UNDER THE MOON, by Ann Y.K. Choi.

122: Life will Disappoint You

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This week, we&#39;re thinking about how everyone&#39;s story is more complex than we think, and every character deserves nuance in your story.Reading rec: FOX, by Joyce Carol Oates.

121: Everyone's Story is Complex

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This week, discover how complex everyone&#39;s story is — and how even peripheral characters in your story have their own lives to live.Reading recommendation: FOX, by Joyce Carol Oates.

121: Make everyone's story more complex

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This week, imagine yourself in the room that really matters in your story.Reading recommendation: Your Steps on the Stairs, Antonio Munoz Molina.

120: Imagine Yourself in the Room

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My favorite reads of 2025. Were any of these your favorites?