The Novel Analyst Podcast by Jed Herne
A podcast that analyses stories to help you become a better writer
Use this technique to generate compelling, flawed, three-dimensional characters.
Or click here to listen online.
Show Notes:
Fires of the Dead – available in audiobook, ebook, & paperback.
Link to all formats here: jedherne.com/firesofthedead
Link to the audiobook deal: bit.ly/FOTDchirp
Episode 2 – The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie – Characterisation through Contradiction: bit.ly/bladeitselfNA
7 – The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie – Exploring Theme: bit.ly/theheroesNA
The Language of Dying is an elegiac, emotionally moving novella, about a woman whose father is dying. In today’s episode, I dive deep into analysing how the author crafted such a profound emotional experience. If you want your words to move your readers, this episode explains how.
Or click here to listen online
My debut fantasy novella, Fires of the Dead, is available on amazon for pre-order! Get it here: http://bit.ly/firesjedherne
Or use this link to read a free prequel story:https://jedherne.com/dead/
Backstories matter, but they can be hard to execute. This episode deconstructs how Landy uses the idea of the Gap to create intriguing character backstories that readers crave to learn. Enjoy!
Or click here to listen online
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Shownotes:
Get my free short story! A Clockwork Prison
Want awesome short stories, bite-sized writing advice, and lists of the best books to improve your craft? Join my VIP email list!
In this episode, I look at how Derek uses names to craft compelling, fleshed-out, interesting characters. Enjoy!
Or click here to listen online
Shownotes:
Derek’s tactics for creating awesome characters (video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB5o1uAqodA
Superhero nation article on names: http://www.superheronation.com/2007/10/15/character-naming-superheroes-and-otherwise/
Random name generators:
Sometimes the key to compelling characters is to make them NOT fit neatly into your plot. That’s what Sanderson does in Warbreaker – a stand-alone fantasy book (that he also gives away for free on his website!).
Or click here to listen online
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Shownotes:
Get Warbreaker for free from Brandon’s website: https://brandonsanderson.com/books/warbreaker/warbreaker/
Get my free short story! A Clockwork Prison
Want awesome short stories, bite-sized writing advice, and lists of the best books to improve your craft? Join my VIP email list!
Joe Abercrombie writes some of the most realistic, fleshed-out, and interesting characters in modern fantasy. Today, I’ll analyse what makes his characters so complex.
Links:
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
Story by Robert McKee
Pat Rothfuss’ fantasy novel blew me away. In this episode, I analyse how he made every scene interesting – no mean feat given that this novel is over 600 pages long!
Links:
Story by Robert McKee
The Novel Analyst Podcast by Jed Herne 