Writing Excuses

I enjoy this podcast a great deal and appreciate how they break complex topics into bite-size, actionable recommendations. A good listen for writers but book-lovers of all stripes.

While the podcast used to be a source of great inspiration and practical writing advice, the podcast has declined in quality over the past season. One major issue is the sheer amount of time spent on ads and self-promotion. It feels like a third of the episode is dedicated to ads, pitching their latest packages or exclusive content, which detracts from the insightful discussions that once made the show so valuable. Another point of frustration is the increasingly academic tone of the podcast. I appreciate deep discussions, but the emphasis on close readings and literary analysis has become overwhelming. Many of us are busy writers who tune in for actionable advice, not in-depth dissections of texts we don’t have the time—or interest—to study. The episodes now seem geared more toward advanced literary analysis than practical, real-world writing tips. It’s clear that their target audience has shifted, and unfortunately, I no longer feel like I’m part of it. Writing Excuses has lost much of what made it engaging and accessible, leaving it a lesser version of its former self.

Used to be great. Season 1 - 10 were phenomenal! It was about listening to FRIENDS informally chat. Writing advice…yes. But bite-size. It was the chemistry of the original gang, insights (sure) plus wit mixed with quirk and jokes. Now it’s about professionals having scholarly discussion and covering the same material covered years ago. It used to be: what do you think about x? And we’d get notions and ideas. Now it’s in the style of “this is the correct way.” Not bad, but not interesting. It’s like hours and hours of an extremely boring panel discussion. Very formal. (Guests asking if it’s time for a break and the answer being “not yet. “ What? So rigid. Lol.) Ugh! In person at a conference….ok. An ongoing podcast...tedious. Plus, it feels like the original gang moved on to other things for the most part. One or two may show up now and then. I’ll find them elsewhere.

I first listened to this podcast a couple years ago as I released my first two books. After time away, I came back and….what happened? There’s about 4-5 ads at the beginning of each episode, and another 3-4 at the end. So if you’re listening in the car, it’s a solid block of 8-9 ads in a row! Oh, and don’t worry, there’s another block of ads in the middle (sometimes twice) as well as an in-episode ad for someone’s book. I’d like to see a ‘content-to-ad’ ratio…willing to bet it’s less than 50%