018: “The Babysitter” by Robert Coover

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018: “The Babysitter” by Robert Coover

FromWhy Is This Good?

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22 minutes

Released:

Oct 15, 2019

Format:

Podcast episode

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In this episode, we discuss “The Babysitter” by Robert Coover. What lessons can we take from such a unique piece that takes so many chances and nevertheless succeeds wildly?

Released:

Oct 15, 2019

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

The Naples Writers' Workshop presents lessons from successful writing

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005: “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe: In this episode, we discuss Edgar Allan Poe’s classic story, “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Read it here: “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe This episode contains a passing spoiler for the Black Mirror movie Bandersnatch. by Why Is This Good?
17 min listen
002: “The Balloon” by Donald Barthelme: In our second episode, we discuss “The Balloon” by Donald Barthelme, which is available online here: “The Balloon” by Donald Barthelme by Why Is This Good?
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010: “Now We Are Five” by David Sedaris: In this episode, we discuss “Now We Are Five” by David Sedaris. What can we learn about writing fiction by examining memoir? by Why Is This Good?
28 min listen
007: “The Flood” by Megan Baxter: In this episode, we discuss “The Flood” by Megan Baxter, which you can read here: “The Flood” by Megan Baxter Apologies for the sound quality on JC’s track. It sounds like he was on the wrong end of his microphone—not sure what happened there. by Why Is This Good?
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035: “Girl Alone” by Sallie Bingham: In this episode, we discuss “Girl Alone” by Sallie Bingham. What can we learn from this tightly packed feminist story? How can quickly drawn and distinct characters help a story? How can character interactions help develop a theme? by Why Is This Good?
22 min listen
025: “I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream” by Harlan Ellison: In this episode, we discuss “I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream” by Harlan Ellison. What can we learn from a story that depicts some of the most horrible things we might imagine? How can we quickly set up a story’s situation? by Why Is This Good?
21 min listen
028: “Cat Person” by Kristen Roupenian: In this episode, we discuss “Cat Person” by Kristen Roupenian. Is it okay to ignore the advice to “show, don’t tell”? Why does this story succeed when it “tells” so much, and what lessons can we take from that success? by Why Is This Good?
28 min listen
012: “When They Came to Us” by Debbie Urbanski: In this episode, we discuss “When They Came to Us” by Debbie Urbanski. What can we learn about fiction by looking at a story about aliens? Read the story in The Sun: “When They Came to Us” by Debbie Urbanski We also briefly discuss Nathan W. by Why Is This Good?
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026: “Sweet on the Tongue” by Roxane Gay: In this episode we discuss “Sweet on the Tongue” by Roxane Gay. What can we learn about characterization from subtly drawn characters? How do relationships help develop character? What can we learn about structure from a non-linear story? by Why Is This Good?
27 min listen
003: “The Lie” by T. Coraghessan Boyle: In this episode, we discuss “The Lie” by T. Coraghessan Boyle, available online in the New Yorker. Link: “The Lie” by T. Coraghessan Boyle by Why Is This Good?
21 min listen
001: “The Midnight Zone” by Lauren Groff: In the first episode of our new podcast, we discuss “The Midnight Zone” by Lauren Groff, which is available online through the New Yorker here: “The Midnight Zone” by Lauren Groff At the end of the episode, we mention Lauren Groff’s book, Florida, by Why Is This Good?
23 min listen
016: “Girls, At Play” by Celeste Ng: In this episode, we discuss “Girls, At Play” by Celeste Ng. What lessons can we draw from a story with such a startling premise? Is there more to learn about perspective and point of view? How do our intentions for a story affect how the story ought... by Why Is This Good?
24 min listen
004: “Bullet in the Brain” by Tobias Wolff: In this episode of the podcast, we discuss “Bullet in the Brain” by Tobias Wolff. Read it here: “Bullet in the Brain” by Tobias Wolff by Why Is This Good?
18 min listen
009: “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love” by Raymond Carver: In this episode of Why Is This Good, we discuss Raymond Carver’s story, “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love.” We explore what we can learn about dialogue, among other lessons. Read the story here: “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love” b... by Why Is This Good?
25 min listen
024: “To the Measures Fall” by Richard Powers: In this episode, we discuss “To the Measures Fall” by Richard Powers. What can we learn from a story written in a “Choose Your Own Adventure” style? What can we learn about character from a story whose main character is “You”? by Why Is This Good?
22 min listen
013: “How to Become a Writer” by Lorrie Moore: In this episode, we discuss “How to Become a Writer” by Lorrie Moore. What lessons can we learn about fiction, about being a writer, and the craft of point of view from Moore’s “second-person mock imperative” parody of a self-improvement manual for fi... by Why Is This Good?
24 min listen
011: “Voices” by Alice Munro: In this episode, we discuss “Voices” by Alice Munro. We find lessons about the pace of description and how the struggle of remembering can create drama in a memoir, among other things. Here is a good list of Munro stories available online: “25 Alice M... by Why Is This Good?
22 min listen
036: “The Pugilist at Rest” by Thom Jones: If you enjoy this episode, consider subscribing to our newsletter at NaplesWritersWorkshop.com For daily writing tips, industry news, and great short fiction, join our Facebook group at Facebook.com/groups/NaplesWritersWorkshop In this episode, by Why Is This Good?
31 min listen
021: “Goodbye and Good Luck” by Grace Paley: In this episode, we discuss “Goodbye and Good Luck” by Grace Paley. How can a strong character voice drive a story even without a complex plot? Can a character sketch or portrait of an attitude be a complete and fulfilling story? by Why Is This Good?
23 min listen
008: “The Boy from Lam Kien” by Miranda July: In this episode, we discuss Miranda July’s story “The Boy from Lam Kien.” Read it here: “The Boy From Lam Kien” by Miranda July Apologies again for the quality of JC’s audio. by Why Is This Good?
18 min listen
006: “Now I Make My Own Bread” by Elle Wignall: In this episode, we discuss “Now I Make My Own Bread” by Elle Wignall. Read it here: “Now I Make My Own Bread” by Elle Wignall During recording, it seems as if something happened with Rob’s microphone. Apologies for the quality of the audio. by Why Is This Good?
20 min listen
015: “Only Tourists Remember the Alamo” by Alicia D. Ortega: In this episode, we discuss “Only Tourists Remember the Alamo” by Alicia D. Ortega. How can a specific, real-life setting influence a story? How does a non-linear structure that allows you to quickly slip in and out of scenes give you more freedom in... by Why Is This Good?
22 min listen
022: “Black-Eyed Women” by Viet Thanh Nguyen: In this episode, we discuss “Black-Eyed Women” by Viet Thanh Nguyen. What can we learn from a story that features a ghost? What function can a ghost serve in a narrative? How can a strong central metaphor inform the shape and details of a story? by Why Is This Good?
25 min listen
019: “Lady Tigers” by Nick White: In this episode, we read “Lady Tigers” by Nick White. We discuss what we can learn about the all-too-familiar writer’s advice to “show, don’t tell” and how this story helps us understand that advice. When should we show and not tell? Also, by Why Is This Good?
30 min listen
014: “Victory Lap” by George Saunders: In this episode, we discuss “Victory Lap” by George Saunders. What can we learn about writing character and stream of consciousness and point of view from a master of characterization and perspective. Read the story here: “Victory Lap” by George Saunders by Why Is This Good?
26 min listen
027: “Baader-Meinhof” by Don DeLillo: In this episode we discuss “Baader-Meinhof” by Don DeLillo. How can characters that misunderstand one another help drive our fiction? How can both meeting a stranger and looking at art change how a character sees the world? by Why Is This Good?
29 min listen
030: “Woodland” by Lydia Millet: In this episode, we discuss “Woodland” by Lydia Millet. What can we learn from the new genre of Climate-Change Fiction, Cli-fi? How does setting help define character? Can setting overwhelm character? How can a story’s emotion affect the needs for its ... by Why Is This Good?
28 min listen
033: “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain: In this episode we’re joined once again by our friend, author James Zwerneman. We discuss “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain. What can we learn from Twain’s famous story? How much do we like stories about frogs? by Why Is This Good?
27 min listen
034: “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin: In this episode, we discuss “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin. What can we learn from a non-traditional story that is not driven by character or scene? How can a story create a takeaway instead of an ending? by Why Is This Good?
27 min listen
023: “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury: In this episode, we discuss “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury. What can we learn from a story with no apparent characters? How can we establish a POV without characters? How does language introduce hidden personifications? by Why Is This Good?
20 min listen

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018: “The Babysitter” by Robert Coover

018: “The Babysitter” by Robert Coover

Description

Titles in the series (100)

More Episodes from Why Is This Good?

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