18.37: Mandatory Failure
· 27 min · S16 E37
Episode 18.37: Mandatory Failure
We talk with Howard Tayler about the story structure of a story with a BIG disaster in the middle - one which we don't recover from until the next book. We also talk about the weight of world-building, how to write for your ideal reader. And Howard considers the question, what is the cost of death if immortality exists?
For reference, Mandatory Failure is the 18th Schlock Mercenary Book; 1st in the 3-book finale to the 20 book mega-arc. We highly recommend you read this first, because this episode contains spoilers and in-depth conversations about the book.
Homework:
Writing prompt: a major disaster has just occurred, write a scene in the aftermath.
Thing of the Week:
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Liner Notes:
Book 18 Schlock Mercenary: Mandatory Failure
Sandra Tayler
Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.
Join Our Writing Community!
Patreon
YouTube
Sign up for our newsletter:
https://writingexcuses.com
Our Sponsors: * Check out Talkiatry and use my code talkiatry.com/WX for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Links in the notes 11
- https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/533857/homegoing-by-yaa-gyasi/
- https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2017-09-18
- https://www.sandratayler.com/index.php/bio/
- https://www.patreon.com/WritingExcuses
- https://www.instagram.com/writing_excuses/
- https://www.youtube.com/@WritingExcusesPodcast
- https://www.facebook.com/WritingExcuses
- https://twitter.com/WritingExcuses
- https://writingexcuses.com/
- https://redcircle.com/brands
- https://redcircle.com/privacy
Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them. Explicit shows are for adult profiles only, and children’s profiles hear only children’s shows. More about this list.