A couple years ago I had a good friend and writing buddy suggest a podcast to me. Now, I have never listened to a podcast before, and really, I’m bad at keeping an eye on anything that is offered at a consistent basis. I tend to get a bug about something, watch/listen/research what I’m interested in immediately and then never think of it again.
But I gave this a shot, I was also poked at consistently to start listening to the podcast, so I gave into peer pressure. 🙂 I must say it is the single most useful resource I have come across in my writing career. My only wish is that there was more.
I will say that not all podcasts are made equal. I tried several and have only stuck with a few. But at this point I’m starting to re-listen from the beginning because I believe this information will forever be good to be refreshed in my mind.
Here is my list of current podcasts I’m listening (and re-listening) to.
Writing Excuses
“Fifteen minutes long, because you’re in a hurry, and we’re not that smart.”
On their 10th season! Three/four hosts discuss different topics involved in the creation and production of genre writing and webcomics. They focus on topics and discussions that they believe will help ‘aspiring writers’ create a book of their own and get it published.
Website: www.writingexcuses.com
My Opinion:
This it where I started. I have to say this is my favorite still. The topics are relevant, the discussion is lively and comical at times, and the hosts are knowledgeable as each has worked hard to get into their writing career and become successful in their own way. I’m listening to season 10 and 1 at the same time now just because I’m not patient enough to wait for the next episode to be aired 😉
Odyssey Podcasts
“These podcasts are excerpts from lectures given by guest writers, editors, and agents at the Odyssey Writing Workshop.“
An intensive, six-week, in-person workshop is held yearly in NH, and is widely considered one of the best workshops in the world for writers of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. It is intended for writers whose work is nearing publication quality and for published writers who want to improve their work.
Website: www.sff.net/odyssey
My Opinion:
The audio often lacks in quality but the information is great. These are the actual lectures that are given at the workshop. A workshop I would love to someday attend. They are also getting some big name people to present these lectures, so it is well worth a listen.
Grammar Girl
“Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing”
Providing short, friendly tips to improve your writing. Covering the grammar rules and word choice guidelines that can confound even the best writers, Grammar Girl makes complex grammar questions simple with memory tricks to help you recall and apply those troublesome grammar rules.
Website: www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl
My Opinion:
I didn’t think this would be a podcast I would enjoy but it is surprising insightful. The episodes are short and given that my grammar has always been a little lacking, I’m easily learning simple pieces that improve my writing. Each episode is on a single topic so I can go back and re-listen when I run into a question while I’m actually writing.