Fiction writers from the Naples Writers' Workshop read successful stories and ask "Why Is This Good?"
We discuss how fiction works, the craft of writing, literary art, and what we can learn from examples of excellent writing.
Join us twice each month for our workshop podcast.
Why Is This Good? is hosted by Kristine Gill, J. C. Bronsted, and Rob Curtin.
108: “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe
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In this episode, we discuss “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe. What can we learn from this classic horror story? How much is needed to create the main effect of the story? What can be done with a good story premise? How do we choose the central character for a story based on a good premise? How has style and language changed since the 19th century?
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July 15th, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop
107: “How to Eat Chicken Wings” by Kristen Arnett
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In this episode, we discuss “How to Eat Chicken Wings” by Kristen Arnett. What can we learn from this fun little piece? Are chicken wings a metaphor? Can a metaphor change through a story? How can food help develop an idea in a story? How can we push the boundaries of form?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
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July 1st, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop
106: “The Frog Prince” by Robert Coover
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In this episode, we discuss “The Frog Prince” by Robert Coover. What can we learn from this retelling of a classic fairy-tale trope? Should we take a story like this literally? What does it mean to have a writer’s eye? How do we find the perfect details? How is seeing great details not merely a matter of choosing the best words?
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June 15th, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop
105: “Milkwishes” by Kristen Roupenian
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In this episode, we discuss “Milkwishes” by Kristen Roupenian. What can we learn from this story that happens so much in the character’s thoughts? How can memories be the main focus of a story? How can we develop subtle narrative voice in a third-person story? What can you do with a really long sentence?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
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June 1st, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop
104: “Redemption” by John Gardner
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In this episode, we discuss “Redemption” by John Gardner. What can we learn from this story based on true events from the author’s childhood? How important is it that depictions feel real? How can we very quickly introduce characters? How important is it to develop the arc of a story to depict true events?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
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May 15th, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop
103: “A Temporary Matter” by Jhumpa Lahiri
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In this episode, we discuss “A Temporary Matter” by Jhumpa Lahiri. What can we learn from this story with such a simple premise? How can memory inform a story? How does memory differ from flashback? How can a story be driven by a character’s thoughts? How can a secret help develop drama?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
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May 1st, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop
102: “The Worshipful Society of Glovers” by Mary Robinette Kowal
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In this episode, we discuss “The Worshipful Society of Glovers” by Mary Robinette Kowal. What can we learn from this historical fantasy story? Do fantasy stories have a steep learning curve? How can we quickly build an alternate world in a short story? How can mixing genres create exciting stories? Despite the trappings of genre, how can such stories always still be about the human condition?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
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April 15th, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop
101: “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
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In this episode, we discuss “To Build a Fire” by Jack London. What can we learn from this classic, straightforward story? How can immediacy drive a story? How can the story’s setting be an intrinsic part of the narrative? What can we learn from the line “And then it happened”? How does point of view shape our experience of the immediacy of the story?
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April 1st, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop
100: “The Lady with the Pet Dog” by Joyce Carol Oates
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In our one-hundredth episode, we discuss “The Lady with the Pet Dog” by Joyce Carol Oates. What can we learn from this retelling of Anton Chekhov’s story “The Lady with the Little Dog”? How does the retelling affect our understanding of the characters? How does the non-linear narrative help the story develop? How does varied sentence structure help develop the prose style? What story would we retell?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
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March 15th, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop
099: “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl
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In this episode, we discuss “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl. What can we learn from this classic story? How versatile can a story’s point of view be? How can subtle shifts of point of view change how we see a character moment to moment? What is the value of a great story idea? How can we use indirect dialogue?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
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March 1st, 2023 by Naples Writers' Workshop