I have to start this review off by clarifying that the Story Grid Writing Podcast is not for everyone. But it is an excellent place for writers to deep dive into the mechanics of expertly crafted fiction.
What makes this different from other writing podcasts is the real-time example that comes from having an expert—Shawn Coyne, a top editor for more than 30 years and author of Story Grid—evaluate stories by struggling writer Tim Grahl, in addition to analyzing techniques in modern and classic fiction.
While I enjoy the content of this podcast, I much prefer to listen to older episodes from 2020 to 2021, simply because of the shorter format. I found it difficult to follow along with such in-depth information when the episode is an hour or more.
I also couldn’t play the podcast in the background of my busy life, because each episode has so much complex, yet valuable, information that I felt I needed to be taking notes the entire time. That isn’t a complaint, but rather a warning to those listeners looking for a podcast to run in the background at work or during brain-intensive tasks.
If you’re looking for a podcast to help you learn the basics and advanced techniques for well-rounded, engaging fiction, this is a good one in which to invest your time.
September 2022 Issue
