131 episodes

Fiction writers from the Naples Writers' Workshop read successful stories and ask "Why Is This Good?" We discuss how fiction works, the craft of writing, literary art, and what we can learn from examples of excellent writing. Join us twice each month for our workshop podcast.

Why Is This Good‪?‬ Why Is This Good?

    • Arts

Fiction writers from the Naples Writers' Workshop read successful stories and ask "Why Is This Good?" We discuss how fiction works, the craft of writing, literary art, and what we can learn from examples of excellent writing. Join us twice each month for our workshop podcast.

    129: “Separating” by John Updike

    129: “Separating” by John Updike

    If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast In this episode, we discuss “Separating” by John Updike. What can we learn from this vivid and careful short story? Can we say anything about the voice of this story? How does a […]

    128: “It’s Such a Beautiful Day” by Isaac Asimov

    128: “It’s Such a Beautiful Day” by Isaac Asimov

    If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast In this episode, we discuss “It’s Such a Beautiful Day” by Isaac Asimov. What can we learn from this classic science fiction story? How can a single imagined technology inform a fictional world? […]

    • 27 min
    127: “The Frog King” by Garth Greenwell

    127: “The Frog King” by Garth Greenwell

    If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast In this episode, we discuss “The Frog King” by Garth Greenwell. What can we learn from this quiet portrait of a human relationship? Is there conflict in this story? Does a story need […]

    • 28 min
    126: “The Destructors” by Graham Greene

    126: “The Destructors” by Graham Greene

    If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast In this episode, we discuss “The Destructors” by Graham Greene. What can we learn from this quick but complex story? How can group dynamics be quickly introduced in a story? How can the […]

    • 27 min
    125: “Button, Button” by Richard Matheson

    125: “Button, Button” by Richard Matheson

    If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast In this episode, we discuss “Button, Button” by Richard Matheson. What can we learn from this deceptively simple story? What does it mean that a story’s ending should be surprising yet inevitable? How […]

    • 18 min
    124: “Civil Peace” by Chinua Achebe

    124: “Civil Peace” by Chinua Achebe

    If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining our Patreon. Your support helps us keep the show running. Find out more at http://www.patreon.com/whyisthisgoodpodcast In this episode, we discuss “Civil Peace” by Chinua Achebe. What can we learn from this own-voice story? How can a story use a refrain or leitmotif? How can a theme or exploration […]

    • 15 min

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