Oren Ashkenazi
Episode 322: Urban Fantasy… Again
Werewolves with smartphones, vampires on motorcycles, mages at school, and so many nightclubs!
How Three Book Series Kept Readers Interested
It’s challenging to maintain reader interest across multiple books.
Episode 321: Why You Shouldn’t Include Prejudice
Are you making a bold and progressive statement or simply reinforcing harmful norms?
Seven Prologues and the Problems They Cause
Prologues are almost always meaningless and disconnected mistakes.
Episode 320: Exploitation and Appropriation
How do you know which stories aren't yours to tell, and why should you care?
Six Principles for Becoming a Better Worldbuilder
Worldbuilding is complicated, but a few universal principles can provide guidance.
Episode 319: Monsters of Fire and Flame
Things are heating up this week, because we're talking about dragons, salamanders, and more!
Taking the Politics Out of Six Popular Stories
Ugh, why do stories have to be so political?
Episode 318: Lost Knowledge
Is lost knowledge always found in the last place you look?
Five Problems With Focusing on Internal Conflicts
Internal conflicts are often more challenging than external ones.
Q&A: Can My Villain be Cute?
Answered
Episode 317: Plot and Character Are Not Enemies
What people actually mean when they say “character driven,” and how plot strengthens character.
Five Common Story Fragmentations and How to Consolidate Them
Disparate elements pull stories apart and bore readers.
Episode 316: Prescriptivism
The term “prescriptivism” gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean?
Ten Justifications for Oppressed Mages and Why They Fail
Justifications for oppressed mages make as little sense as the idea of oppressing mages itself.
Oren Ashkenazi