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.
157: “Found Objects” by Jennifer Egan
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “Found Objects” by Jennifer Egan (second story in this PDF). What can we learn from this story? How can plot serve character and character serve plot? How can a character be both a device and a character? Can a scene be developed as both a present scene and a memory at the same time? How does the character’s experience drive the reader’s understanding of a story?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
August 1st, 2025 by Naples Writers' Workshop
156: “Two Words” by Isabel Allende
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “Two Words” by Isabel Allende, originally “Dos Palabras”. What can we learn from this story translated from Spanish? How can we use our writing eye in descriptions? How can a story feel like a legend or myth? How does mythic storytelling influence how the narrative views its characters? How can a story leave an unanswered question and yet remain entirely satisfying?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
July 15th, 2025 by Naples Writers' Workshop
155: “The Piano Teacher’s Pupil” by William Trevor
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “The Piano Teacher’s Pupil” by William Trevor. What can we learn from this short, well-crafted story? How can backstory help build the present moment? How can we establish throughlines? How are well-rounded characters developed?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
July 1st, 2025 by Naples Writers' Workshop
154: “Nine Lives” by Ursula K. Le Guin
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “Nine Lives” by Ursula K. Le Guin. What can we learn from another great story from a master of speculative fiction? How can we portray unusual experiences that are nonetheless fundamentally human? How can we keep our focus on what it means to be human even in wildly speculative fiction?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
June 15th, 2025 by Naples Writers' Workshop
153: “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury. What can we learn from this story of dangerous technology? How can a mystery drive a story? How can a future-looking story remain timeless? What are some ways a story can focus its concerns on humans and humanity? How wrong should things go in a story?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
June 1st, 2025 by Naples Writers' Workshop
152: “How to Be an Other Woman” by Lorrie Moore
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “How to Be an Other Woman” by Lorrie Moore. (Read First Section and Second Section.) What can we learn from this mock self-help instructional story? How are emotional moments developed? How do the second person and imperative mood function? How do keen imagery and highly metaphorical descriptions function?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
May 15th, 2025 by Naples Writers' Workshop
151: “The Daemon Lover” by Shirley Jackson
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “The Daemon Lover” by Shirley Jackson. What can we learn from this psychological thriller? How can anxiety drive a story? How can the prose and details create and develop a psychology or mood for a story? Can a psychological thriller provide a metaphor for social commentary?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
May 1st, 2025 by Naples Writers' Workshop
150: “Babylon Revisited” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “Babylon Revisited” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. What can we learn from this story? How can fiction subtly reveal character motives? How can we use a slippery point of view to direct the reader’s attention at what’s important for the story? How can introspective revelations show the reader the complexities of a character or interactions between characters? How can a story be built around a moment?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
April 15th, 2025 by Naples Writers' Workshop
149: “The Martyr” by Mary Gordon
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “The Martyr” by Mary Gordon. What can we learn from this story of a character trying to remember and understand their brother? How does foreshadowing structure the unfolding of the story and our understanding of the characters? How does hindsight help shape the unfolding of the narrator’s telling of the story?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
April 1st, 2025 by Naples Writers' Workshop
148: “A Visit of Charity” by Eudora Welty
If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast
In this episode, we discuss “A Visit of Charity” by Eudora Welty. What can we learn from this story about lonely people? How can distinct characters help develop a theme from several directions? How do the characters help develop the drama? Can we represent typically stereotyped characters with more depth?
For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/napleswritersworkshop
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter at http://www.napleswritersworkshop.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
March 15th, 2025 by Naples Writers' Workshop